^ 


THE    SABBATH: 


BRIEF    HISTORY 


/ 

/ 

LAWS,  PETITIONS,  REMONSTRANCES  AND  REPORTS, 


FACTS    AND    ARGUMENTS, 


RELATING   TO   THE 


CHRISTIAN  SABBATH, 


HARMON  KINGSBXmY. 


"  If  thou  dost  not  speak  to  warn  the  wicked  from  his  way,  that  wicked  man  shall 
die  in  his  iniquity  ;  but  his  blood  will  1  require  at  thy  hand."— Eze.  xxxiii. 

"  The  profanation  of  the  Sabbath  is  an  offence  against  God  and  Religion."— 

Blackstone. 


NEW    YORK: 
ROBERT   CARTER,  No.  58  CANAL  STREET. 

1840. 


The  net  avails  of  this  work  are  devoted  to  the  cause  of  the  Sabbath. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  tlie  year  1840,  by 

ROBERT    CARTER, 

in  tlie  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


W.    BENEDICT,    PRINTER,    128   FULTON     STREET. 


PREFACE. 


The  following  pages  contain  a  brief  history  of  laws,  petitions, 
remonstrances,  and  reports,  and  some  of  the  published  articles 
of  the  author,  relating  to  the  desecration  and  sanctification  of  the 
Christian  Sabbath. 

The  occasions  on  which  his  own  essays  appeared  were  vari- 
ous. Sometimes  the  object  was  to  meet  particular  objections, 
urged  by  others ;  sometimes  to  awaken  the  church  to  her  re- 
sponsibilities in  this  matter;  sometimes  to  warn  of  danger;  at 
others  to  record  a  fact,  to  recommend  a  plan,  or  to  awaken  sym- 
pathy in  the  great  cause. 

As  the  articles  were  not  written  for  a  book,  but  for  particular 
emergencies,  they  will  be  found  often  more  practical  than  argu- 
mentative. The  great  design  was  to  unfold  the  means  of  re- 
storing the  Sabbath  to  its  pristine  purity,  and  to  incite  to  vigor- 
ous efforts  to  accomplish  speedily  this  very  desirable  object — to 
excite  the  friends  of  Sabbath  reform  to  correct,  systematic,  cor- 
dial, united,  and  persevering  action;  and,  as  far  as  possible,  by 
presenting  facts  and  arguments,  to  harmonize  their  views  in 
regard  to  the  time  and  manner  of  observing  the  day  of  Rest. 

When  the  reader  remembers  that  the  matter  was  prepared  on 
different  occasions,  at  different  times,  and  in  different  places,  he 
will  not  be  surprised  to  find  the  same  shade  of  thought  occurring 
more  than  once. 


IV  PREFACE. 

Modern  infidels,  in  this  country  and  in  Europe,  have  exhaust- 
ed their  resources  in  fruitless  attempts  to  prove  that  the  Sabbath 
was  not  made  for  man — for  all  mankind.  It  is  not  chiefly  for 
this  class,  however,  that  this  book  is  published,  but  for  those  who 
may  be  misled  by  their  influence  and  their  sophistry,  who  yet 
are  willing  to  learn  and  to  do  their  duty. 

Had  Newton,  or  Bacon,  penetrated  the  lonely  cell  of  Caspar 
Hauser,  and  labored  to  convince  him  that  he  had  seen  the  bright 
luminary  of  day,  the  arguments  would  have  been  unavailing,  as 
long  as  the  wretched  inmate  of  the  prison  had  neither  the  incli- 
nation to  hear,  nor  the  knowledge  necessary  to  understand  and 
believe.  So  it  is  with  infidels  on  this  subject.  Their  eyes  are 
closed  against  the  light,  their  ears  deaf  to  argument,  and  their 
consciences  callous  to  conviction.  They  hear  to  scoff",  read  to 
reject,  talk  to  differ,  cavil  to  confound,  and  ward  off  to  disbelieve. 
With  such,  is  it  not  best  and  sufficient  to  take  the  law  of  the 
Sabbath,  recorded  in  Ex.  xx.,  and  call  on  them  to  obey,  consid- 
ering it  settled  that  this  merciful  and  moral  institution  was 
established  in  Eden,  and  is  necessary  for  all  men,  in  every  age 
of  the  world,  and  obligatory  on  them  ?  The  divine  authority 
of  the  Scriptures  is  before  them,  urged  by  all  the  motives  of 
self-interest,  humanity,  patriotism  and  gratitude ;  atid  if  they 
continue  to  reject,  they  do  it  at  their  peril. 

The  opinions  of  others  have  often  been  introduced,  in  order  to 
increase  the  weight  and  influence  of  the  work :  and  although 
the  subject  is  prolonged,  it  is  presumed  to  be  sufficiently  diver- 
sified to  secure  the  attention  of  those  who  care  for  the  Sabbath. 

That  the  Lord  of  the  Sabbath  may,  by  this  humble  effort, 
greatly  promote  the  observance  of  His  day,  is  the  sincere  prayer 
of  the  AUTHOR. 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  ^S^0. 


PEIKGETOIT 
,REC.  NOV  .1880 
THEOLOGICiL. 

CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 


History  of  Laws,  Divine  and  Human,  relating  to   the 


Sabbath, 

. 

. 

13 

Law  of  God,     . 

. 

, 

13 

Laws  of  the  States  and  Territories, 

.  14-22 

Maine, 

Maryland, 

Arkansas, 

New  Hampshire, 

Virginia, 

Tennessee, 

Vermont, 

District  of  Columbia, 

Kentucky, 

Massachusetts, 

North  Carolina, 

Missouri, 

Rhode  Island, 

South  CaroUna, 

Illinois, 

Connecticut, 

Georgia, 

Indiana, 

New  York, 

Florida, 

Ohio, 

New  Jersey, 

Alabama, 

Michigan. 

Pennsylvania, 

Mississippi, 

Delaware, 

Louisiana, 

Laivs  of  Congress, 

CHAPTER  n. 

■ 

.        22 

Petitions  and  Remonstrances  against  Sunday  Mails,  ac- 
companied with  Committees^  Reports,  <^c.,         .  .  24-71 
Citizens'of  Philadelphia  and  New-     Synod  of  Pittsburgh, 


York. 

Gideon  Granger's  Report. 

James  P.  Wilson  and  others,  Phi- 
ladelphia. 

1* 


Messrs.  Rhea,  Return  J.  Meigs, 
Daggett,  Mills,  Meigs,  McKean, 
McLean,  Barry,  and  McCreery's 
Reports  and  Communications. 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


Citizens  of  Newark,  N.  J. 

"  North  Carolina, 

"  Co.  of  Williamson  and 

others, 

"  Philadelphia, 

"  Kentucky, 

"  Alexandria,  D.  C 

"  Augusta,  Me. 

"  Boston,  Mass. 

"  Leroy,  N.  York, 

"  Columbia  Co.,  Ga, 

"  Greensburgh,  Pa. 

''  Rockingham  Co.,  N.C. 

Wm.    E.    Channing   and  others, 

Boston, 
Citizens  of  Albion,  Me. 

"  Rowan  Co.,  N.  C. 

"  Trenton,  N.  J. 

"  City  of  New  York, 

"  Salem,  Mass. 

"  Spartanburgh  District, 

S.  C. 

"  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va. 

"  Hanover  Co.,  Va. 

*      "  Westmoreland      Co., 

Va. 

"  Newburyport,  Mass. 

*'  Washington  Co.,  Pa. 

"  Rensselaer  Co.,  N.  Y. 

"  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N. 

York, 

"  Boston,  Mass. 

<'  Philadelphia, 

"  Bedford  Co.,  Ten. 

J.  Cotton  Smith  and  others,  Conn. 
Citizens  of  Washington  Co.,  Pa. 
Bedford,  N.  Y. 

"  Boston,  Mass. 

«  Bedford  Co.,  Ten. 

Fairfield  District,  S.C. 
Postmaster,  Otterbridge,  Va. 


Wm.   E.  Channing   and    others, 
Boston,  Mass. 
Citizens  of  Boston,  Mass. 
Perry  Co.,  Ohio, 
"  Atwater,  Ohio, 

Ira  David,  P.  M.,  Vt. 
Citizens  of  Huntington  Co.,  Pa. 
"  Lisbon,  Conn. 

*'  Greensburgh,  Pa. 

"  Northumberland    Co., 

Pa. 
City  of  New  York, 
City  of  Philadelphia, 
•'  City  of  Baltimore, 

"  Washington  Co.,  Md. 

"  City  of  Boston, 

"  Boonsborough,  Md. 

"  Stockb ridge    and   oth- 

ers, Mass. 
"  Ehzabethtown,  N.  J. 

"  Spotsylvania  Co.,  Va. 

James  M.  Garnett  and  others,  Va. 
Citizens  of  Accomac  Co.,  Va. 
"  Edinburgh,  Ohio, 

City  of  New  York, 
"  City  of  Boston, 

Grand  Jury,  Washington  Co.,  Pa. 
Citizens  of  Sharon,  Conn. 

"  State  of  New  York, 

"  City  of  Boston, 

"  Washington  Co.,  Pa. 

"  Washington  Co.,  Ala. 

Talfair  Co.,  Ga. 
Colloway  Co.,  Ky. 
"  Washington  Co.,  Ky. 

Elkton,  Ky. 
Mt.TirzahP.O.,N.C. 
Kent  Island,  Md. 
Merchants  of  Baltimore, 
Citizens  of  Washington  Co.,  Md. 
Trenton,  N.  J. 


CONTENTS. 


Citizens  of  Chester  District,  S.  C. 

"  Spartanburgh  District, 

S.  C. 
Blairsville,  S.  C. 
Augustus  Fitzhugh,  Va. 
Citizens  of  Norfolk,  Conn. 

"  City  of  New  York, 

"  Ryegate,  Vt. 

"  Westmoreland  Co., Pa. 

Merchants  of  Baltimore, 
Citizens  of  Caroline  Co.,  Md. 


Citizens  of  Trenton,  N.J. 
"  Coshocton,  Ohio, 

"  Bridge  Hampton,  L. 

"  Strasburg,  Pa. 

"  Chester  Co.,  Pa. 

"  Agnew's  Mills,  Pa. 

"  Windsor,  Conn. 

"  Philadelphia, 

"  Atwater,  Ohio, 

Elkton,  Ky. 
Committee  of  Nashville,  Ten. 


Character  and  objects  of  these  memorialists,  .  .  .  71-73 
Memorials  and  petitions  in  favor  of  Sunday  Mails,  .  73-76 
From  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  From  Gen.  Assembly,  Ala. 

"      Newark,  N.  J.  "      Kentucky, 

"      Philadelphia,  Pa.  "      Gen.  Assembly,  111. 

*'      Gen.  Assembly,  la.  *      Windham  Co.,  Vt. 

''      Salem  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Harmon  Kingsbury  against  Sunday  Mails,        .  .  76-133 

(Contents  of  his  petition  and  Appendix.) 


Extract  from  McKean's  Report, 

Law  to  be  repealed. 

Pious  Members, 

Laws, 

Acts  repealed. 

Appendix,         .         .         .         91 

Petitions  in  1828-9. 

To  the   Forwarders  on  the  Erie 

Canal, 
Opinions  of  Public  bodies,  95-99 
American  Bethel  Society, 
Gen.  Assembly  Presbyt.  Church, 
Baptist  Convention,  Ohio, 
Cleveland  Presbytery, 
Citizens  of  Cleveland, 

"  Lorain  Co.,  Ohio, 

Opinions  of  Editors,    .      99-108 
Ohio  Atlas, 
Cleveland  Observer, 
Connecticut  Observer, 


Auburn  Banner, 
Presbyterian, 
Z ion's  Watchman, 
Western  Christian  Advocate, 
Michigan  Observer,  j 
Gambier  Observer, 
Chris.  Ad.  and  Journal, 
Legislative  action  in  New 

York,  .  .  .  108-113 
Unconstitutionality  of  the  Law,  113 
Instructions  to  Delegates  in 

1776,  ....         114 
North  CaroUna, 
Rhode  Island, 
Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, 
Connecticut, 
New  Hampshire, 
New  Jersey, 
Maryland, 


VUl  CONTENTS. 

South  Carolina,  Powers  not  delegated,  .  121 

Legislation  of  Congress,  116    This  is  a  Christian  nation.  121 

Michigan,  Establishment  of  Religion,  122 

Bill  of  Rights,            .  .  117    Bishop  Mcllvaine's  Sermon,     123 

Florida,  Mr.  Justice  Story,         .  .  124 

Arkansas,  Supreme  Court  of  Mass.  128 

District  of  Columbia,  Chancellor  Kent,       .  .  129 

Powers  of  Congress,        .  119     Supreme  Court  of  Pa.  130 

Postoffices,  Practice  of  Congress,       .  132 

Powers  of  the  Supreme  Court,  121     Law  unjust,    .  .  .  133 

Powers  when  in  States,  .  121 

Executive  Committee  of  the  American  Bethel  Society,  134-136 

Congressional  Sessions  on  Sunday,              .            .  136-142 
Rev.  E.  F.  Hatfield, 

Governor  Ellsworth,             .             .             .             .  142 

History  oj  Sabbath  Union,         .             .             .  143-146 


CHAPTER  HI. 

Expediency  of  fearless  and  united  effort,        .         .         147-153 

Peter,  Wilberforce,  Beecher, 

Luther,  Kitteridge,      London  Sabbath  Protection  Society. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
Necessity  for  the  Sabbath,         ....  154-161 

CHAPTER  V. 

OBJECTIONS   ANSWERED. 

Obj.  1.—"  There  is  no  authority  for  the  Sabbath,"        .  162-169 

Fourth  Commandm't,  Old  Testament,  Job, 

Christ,  Homer,  Rabbins, 

Weeks,  Hesiod,  Lampridius, 

Mrs.  Summerville,        Grotius,  Alexander  Severus, 

Mr.  Buckingham,  Mannasseh  Ben  Israel,  Calmet, 

President  Goguet,         Cain  and  Abel,  Porphyry, 


CONTENTS. 


^i* 


Philo, 
Josephus, 


Rev.  E.  Johns, 
Asiatic  Journal, 


Easterns, 

Jewett's  Nootka  Sound. 


Ohj.  2.—"  This  authority  binds  only  the  Jews,"     .         .  170-184 

Consequences  to  the  Gentiles,        Proof  from  the  Bible. 

if  they  have  no  Sabbath.  Sabbath  not  mentioned. 

Man's  relations  and  obligations.          President  Dwight. 

Obj.  3. — "  The  Moral  Law,  or  Ten  Commandments,  has 

been  abrogated,"        .  .  .  184-192 

Obj,  4. — "  The  New  Testament  does  not  require  a  Sab- 
bath,"           192-206 

President  Humphrey, 

Barnes'  Notes, 

President  Dwight, 

President  Humphrey, 

Rev.  Mr.  Doolittle, 

Practice  of  the  Apostles, 

Ceremonial  Sabbaths  and  Festu 


Passover, 

Pentecost, 

Feast  of  Tabernacles, 

Feast  of  Trumpets, 

Atonement, 

Feast  of  Purim, 

Feast  of  Sabbaths, 


vals,     . 
Weekly  Sabbath, 
New  Moons, 


203-206  Feast  of  Jubilee, 

Sabbaths  and  New  Moons, 
Holy  Day. 


Obj.  5. — "  There  is  no  evidence  that  the  day  was  chang- 


ed," 

Constautine, 

Apostles, 

Eusebius, 

Dr.  Cave, 

Emperor  Leo, 

Charlemagne, 

Emperor  Leo, 

Justin  Martyr, 

Luther, 

Calvin, 

Paley, 

Priestly, 

Gumey, 

Professor  Stuart, 


206-225 


Pliny, 

Theophilus, 

IrensBus, 

Dionysius, 

Tertullian, 

Origen, 

Cyprian, 

Eusebius, 

Professor  Stuart, 

Athanasius, 

Chrysostora, 

Augustine, 

Ambrose, 

Epiphanius, 


Theodosius, 

Lord  Mansfield, 

Carolus, 

Ludovicus, 

Gratian, 

Wm.  the  Conqueror, 

Henry  Second, 

Mosheim, 

McLain, 

Henry, 

Dr.  Brownlee, 

Selden. 


X     "  CONTENTS. 

Ohj.  6.—"  Deut.  V.  opposed  to  Ex.  xx."  .  .  225-228 

Ohj.  7. — This  nation  acknowledges  no  religion,''''     .         229-244 

Religion    recognized    by  the  Thanksgivings, 

Constitution,  Chaplains, 

Fasts,  State  Laws. 

Obj.  8. — "  Works  of  Public  Utility  may  be  done  on  Sun- 

day;'  .  .  .  .  .  244-247 

A  supposed  case. 

Obj.  9. — "  Greece  and  Rome  as  prosperous  without  as 

with  religion,''''  .  .  .         247-253 

Traditionary  knowledge,  ....  249 

Rev.  J.  Montieth. 

Obj.  10. — "  The  Quakers  are  as  moral  without  as  with 

a  Sabbath,""  .  ,  .  .253 

Obj.  11. — ^^  Literature  is  sufficient  to  secure  morality,''^  254-257 
Dr.  Brownlee. 

Obj.  12. — "  Special  Judgments  are  not  inflicted  for  na- 
tional sins,''^  ....  257-262 
National,                                           Individual. 

Obj.  13. — "  Christians  wish  to  unite  Church  and  State,^''  262-266 
Harmon  Norton. 

Obj.  14. — "  The  framers  of  our  Government  were  scep- 
tical;' ....  266-278 

Washington,  Franklin,  his  epitaph,  his  letter  to  Paine,  William  A. 
Hallock. 

Obj.  ]  5. — "  Such  sentiments  will  provoke  persecution,''"'  278 

Address  to  Females,                 .....  279 

Laboring  poor,                 .            .            .            ,            .  .      281 

Sabbath-breaking  parents,      .....  282 

Closing  appeal, 283-287 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Appeal  in  behalf  of  the  Sabbath, 

Ministers  of  the  Gospel, 

National  Legislature, 

Judicial  proceedings, 

Private  Christians, 

Churches, 

Philanthropists, 

Husbands,  Fathers,  and  Brothers, 

Wives,  Daughters,  and  Sisters, 

National  Legislature, 

State  Legislature, 


.  288-320 

Friends  of  liberty  and  of  free  insti- 
tutions, 

Friends  of  good  order. 

Business  men,  merchants,  &c.. 

The  poor  laborer. 

The  great  Valley, 

Plan  of  operations,  .  320 

Resolutions  suitable   to   be 
adopted,        .  .  .320 


CHAPTER  VH. 


Address  to  Business  Men, 

Word  of  God, 

Labor  forbidden  on  the  Sabbath, 
Evils  threatened  and  inflicted. 
Sabbath-breaking  prevents  bless- 
ing. 
Maima, 
Facts. 

Physical  Powers,  .  333 

Sir  Mathew  Hale, 
A  business  man, 
A  gentleman  of  New  York, 
Dr.  Spurzheim, 
Mr.  Schoolcraft, 
West  Indies, 
Journeymen  Bakers, 
Mr.  Vyse,  Birmingham,  Eng. 
Lord  Bishop  of  Chester, 
Rev.  J.  W.  Cunningham, 
Mr.  Thomas  George, 
Mr.  William  McKechney. 


.  324-351 

Intellectual  Powers,        .  337 

Dr.  Richard  Farre, 

Dr.  Rush, 

Marquis  of  Londonderry, 

Wilberforce. 

Moral  Powers,    .  .  340 

Blackstone, 

State  Prisons, 

Rev.  David  Buel, 

Mr.  John  Wontner, 

Mr.  Benjamin  Baker, 

Individual  experience. 

How  with  Nations, 

Spain, 

France, 

England, 

Scotland  and  Wales, 

Our  Forefathers, 

What  if  the  Sabbath  were  blotted 

out. 
Danger  to  be  apprehended. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Review  of  General  Assembly's  Report^ 
Committee's  Report,  Reasons  mentioned, 

Church  in  the  way,  Editors. 

Ministerial  Exchanges,  .... 

Who  are  Sabbath-breakers, 


352-373 


373 
377 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Address  to  Christians,  Patriots,  and  Philanthropists,      379-391 
Cause  and  effect,  Human  Laws, 

Sabbath-breaking  makes  infidels,     Men  of  the  East,  awake, 
The  only  remedy,  Pubhc  Calamities. 


REC.  NOV  18B0 
THE  SABBATH. 


CHAPTER   I. 

HISTORY  OF  LAWS,    DIVINE  AND  HUMAN,  RELATING 
TO  THE  SABBATH. 


LAW  OF  GOD. 

The  first  law  on  record  relating  to  this  institution,  was  writ- 
ten on  tables  of  stone,  by  the  finger  of  God,  more  than  three 
thousand  years  ago.  No  document  anterior  to  this,  that  we 
know  of,  was  ever  written  and  handed  down  to  men.  It  is  in 
these  words,  viz : — 

"  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days  shalt 
thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work ;  but  the  seventh  day  is  the 
Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God ;  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work, 
thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy 
maid-servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy 
gates  :  for  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea, 
and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day  ;  wherefore 
the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day  and  hallowed  it." — Ex.  20. 

This  law  now  stands,  ever  has  stood,  and  always  must  stand, 
unrepealed.  It  is  over  and  above  all  law,  binding  on  all  men 
through  all  time ;  and  its  claims  are  imperative.  See  Wilson, 
Dwight,  Humphrey,  Professor  Agnew,  Gurney,  and  others  who 
have  written  on  this  subject ; — also  evidences  and  opinions  here- 
after recorded  in  this  book. 
2 


14  THE   SABBATH. 


LAWS  OF  THE  STATES  AND  TERRITORIES. 

It  has  proved  a  difficult  task  to  obtain  copies  of  all  the  latest 
enactments  of  the  several  States  and  Territories  of  these  United 
States  relating  to  the  Sabbath ;  but  though  we  may  have  failed 
to  obtain  them  all,  yet  enough  has  been  found  to  show  that  cor- 
rect legislative  action  has  once  been  had.  It  is  painful,  how- 
ever, to  say,  that  in  some  instances,  the  people  have  been  re- 
ceding from  the  high  and  righteous  stand  which  they  had  taken. 
Acts  of  a  different  character  from  those  which  follow,  and  of  a 
more  recent  date,  may  have  been  passed  in  some  portions  of  our 
country,  but  the  latest  which  we  have  seen  will  now  be  sub- 
joined. 

MAIXE. 

In  this  State,  traveling,  ordinary  labor,  and  business  are  pro- 
hibited on  the  Lord's  day.     Passed,  1834. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

"  Sec.  1st.  Be  it  enacted  hy^''  &:c.  "  That  no  tradesman,  arti- 
ficer, or  any  other  person  whatsoever,  shall  do  or  exercise  any 
labor,  business  or  work  of  their  secular  callings,  (works  of  ne- 
cessity and  mercy  only  excepted,)  *  *  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  commonly  called  the  Lord's  day,  or  any  part  thereof. 

"  (See.  2d.  And  he  it  further  enacted,  That  no  person  shall 
travel  on  the  Lord's  day  between  sun-rising  and  sun-setting, 
unless  from  necessity,  or  to  attend  public  worship,  visit  the  sick 
or  do  some  office  of  charity,  on  penalty  of,"  &c.     Passed,  1799. 

June  22,  1814,  the  Legislature,  commenting  on  the  second 
section,  say,  "  That  no  license  from  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  for 
traveling  on  Sunday,  will  avail  in  behalf  of  any  traveler,  or  car- 
rier, with  any  team  or  carriage  of  burthen,  or  of  any  traveler  in 
the  style  and  capacity  of  a  drover,  with  any  horses,  cattle,  or 
other  beasts:  but  all  such  license  shall  be  utterly  void." 

In  most  of  the  States,  all  games,  pastimes,  amusements,  re- 
creations, sports,  fishing,  hunting  and  visiting  are  forbidden. 
Also  the  frequentmg  of  places  of  public  resort,  except  for  moral 
and  religious  instruction,  is  prohibited. 


LAWS    OF    THE    STATES.  15 


\"ERMONT. 


"  J./1  act  to  enforce  the  due  observance  of  the  Sabbath. 

"  Considering  that  in  every  community,  some  portion  of  time 
ought  to  be  set  apart  for  relaxation  from  worldly  labors  and  em- 
ployments, and  devoted  to  the  social  worship  of  Almighty  God, 
and  the  attainment  of  religious  and  moral  instruction,  which 
are,  in  the  highest  degree,  promotive  of  the  peace,  happiness 
and  prosperity  of  the  people.     Therefore, 

"  Sec.  1st.  It  is  hereby  enacted  by^''  &c.  "  That  the  first  day  of 
the  week  shall  be  kept  and  observed,  by  the  good  people  of  this 
State,  as  a  Sabbath,  holy  day,  or  day  of  rest  from  secular  labors 
and  employments ;  nor  shall  any  person  or  persons  [on  that  day] 
exercise  any  secular  labor,  business,  or  employment,  except  such 
as  necessity  and  acts  of  charity  shall  require."    Passed,  1797. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

"  Sec.  \st.  No  person  shall  keep  open  his  shop,  warehouse,  or 
workhouse,  or  shall  do  any  manner  of  labor,  business,  or  work, 
(except  only  works  of  necessity  and  charity,)"  on  the  Lord's  day. 

"  Sec.  2d.  No  person  shall  travel  on"  that  day,  "  except  from 
necessity  or  charity."     Passed,  1791 — 1796. 

RHODE    ISLAND. 

'■'•Sec.  \st.  Be  it  enacted  by,^^  &c.  "That  no  person  in  this 
State  shall  do  or  exercise  any  labor,  or  business,  or  work  of  his 
ordinary  calling,"  &c.,  "  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  or  suffer 
the  same  to  be  done  by  his  children,  servants  or  apprentices 
(works  of  necessity  and  charity  only  excepted)."  Passed,  1679, 
175D,  1784,  1798. 

Sec.  2d  forbids  the  employment  of  others  to  commit  the  afore- 
said offences. 

CONNECTICUT. 

Sec.  2d  provides,  "  That  no  person  shall,  upon  land  or  water,, 
do  any  manner  of  secular  business,  work,  or  labor,  (works  of  ne- 
cessity and  mercy  excepted,)"  on  the  Lord's  day. 

"  Sec.  3d.  No  traveler,  drover,  wagoner,  teamster,  or  any  of 


16  THE    SABBATH. 

their  servants  shall  travel  on  the  Lord's  day,  (except  from  ne- 
cessity and  charity.)"     Passed,  1808. 

In  the  revision  of  the  laws  of  this  State,  1S21,  Sec.  1st,  we 
read,  "  Nor  shall  any  traveler,  drover,  wagoner,  or  teamster 
travel  on  said  day,  except  from  necessity  and  charity ;"  and  "  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  citizens  of  this  State  to  attend  the  pub- 
lic worship  of  God,  on  the  Lord's  day ;  and  that  no  person  or 
persons  shall  do  any  secular  business,  work,  or  labor,  [on  that 
day]  (works  of  necessity  and  mercy  excepted.)" 

But  since  Sunday  mails  have  been  established,  the  duty  of 
certain  citizens  seems  to  be  entirely  disregarded  ;  as  may  be 
seen  in  the  compilation  of  laws  ordered  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  this  State,  in  1835,  Sec.  7th.  "  No  proprietor  or  proprie- 
tors, or  driver  of  any  coach,  wagon,  or  sleigh,  or  other  carriage, 
belonging  to,  or  employed  in  any  line  of  stages,  or  extra  car- 
riage; or  proprietor  or  driver  of  any  hackney  coach,  coachee,  or 
chaise,  sleigh,  or  other  pleasure  carriage,  shall  suifer  or  allow 
any  person  or  persons  to  travel,  except  from  necessity  or  charity, 
in  such  carriage  on  the  Lord's  day,  on  penalty  of  twenty  dol- 
lars for  every  offence :  Provided,  that  this  act  shall  not  extetid 
to  the  o\vners  or  drivers  of  carriages  employed  for  carrying  the 
United  States'  mail  through  this  State  on  the  Lord's  day." 

What  would  the  inhabitants  of  this  State,  from  its  earliest 
settlement  down  to  1810,  have  thought  of  such  an  exception? 
The  bare  suggesting  of  it  would  have  called  down  upon  its 
author  the  pity  and  indignation  of  ninety-nine-hundredths  of  all 
who  then  lived  in  the  land  of  the  Pilgrims.  Once  the  good 
people  of  this  State  would  not  wink  at  the  sin  she  now  cher- 
ishes in  her  bosom.  And  who  among  her  sons  has  inquired, 
why  do  ye  so  ? 

NEW    YORK. 

"  Sec.  1st.  Be  it  enacted  Jy,"  &:c.  "  That  there  shall  be  no 
traveling,  servile  laboring,  or  working,  (works  of  necessity  and 
charity  excepted,)  *  *  or  any  unlawful  exercises  or  pastimes 
By  any  person  or  persons  within  this  State,  on  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  commonly  called  Sunday."    Passed,  1813. 

Provision  is  made  for  those  who  uniformly  keep  the  last  day 


LAWS   OF   THE   STATES.  17 

of  the  week  as  a  Sabbath ;  as  is  also  the  case  in  many  of  the 
other  States ;  and  for  any  person  removing  his  family  or  house- 
hold furniture,  if  such  removal  be  not  commenced  on  such  day. 
But  we  find  no  provision  for  the  Postmaster  who  changes  and 
delivers  the  mail  on  that  day. 

NEW   JERSEY. 

"  Sec.  1st.  Be  it  enacted  ly^'  &c.  "  That  no  traveling,  worldly 
employment  or  business,  ordinary  or  servile  labor  or  work,  either 
upon  land  or  water,  (works  of  necessity  and  charity  excepted,) 
*  *  shall  be  done  or  performed  by  any  person  or  persons  within 
this  State,  on  the  Christian  Sabbath,  or  first  day  of  the  week, 
commonly  called  Sunday."    Passed,  1798. 

No  stages  are  allowed  to  be  driven  through  this  State  on  said 
day,  except  such  as  have  the  mail,  and  in  cases  of  "necessity  or 
mercy"  clearly  proved :  and  no  wagoner,  carter,  drayman, 
drover,  butcher,  or  any  of  his  or  their  servants,  shall  ply,  or 
travel  with  his  or  their  wagons,  carts  or  drays,  or  shall  load  or 
unload  any  goods,  wares,  or  merchandise,  or  produce,  or  drive 
cattle,  sheep,  or  swine,  in  any  part  of  this  State,  on  the  first  day 
of  the  week." 

In  this  and  the  two  immediately  preceding  States,  provision 
is  made  for  the  carrying  of  mails  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  in  this 
State  for  the  Postmaster  to  labor  on  Sunday. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

"  Sec.  \st.  If  any  person  shall  do  or  perform  any  worldly  em- 
ployment whatsoever  on  the  Lord's  day,  commonly  called  Sun- 
day, (works  of  necessity  and  charity  only  excepted,)"  &c. ;  then 
follows  the  penalty.     Passed,  1794, 

DELAWARE. 

"  Sec.  \st.  Be  it  enacted  hy^''  &c.  "  That  if  any  person  or  per- 
sons within  this  State,  *  *  shall  do  or  perform  any  worldly 
employment,  labor,  or  business  whatsoever,  upon  the  Lord's 
day,  commonly  called  Sunday,  (works  of  necessity  and  charity 
only  excepted,)"  &c. ;  then  comes  the  penalty. 

"  Sec.  2d.  And  he  it  further  enacted^  That  if  any  carrier,  ped 


18  THE   SABBATH. 

(ller,  wagoner,  or  any  driver  of  a  traveling  stage,  wagon,  or 
coachee,  carter,  butcher,  or  drover,  Mrith  his  horse,  pack,  wagon, 
stage,  coachee,  cart,  or  drove,  shall  travel  or  drive  upon  the 
Lord's  day,"  &c. ;  then  comes  the  penalty.     Passed,  1795. 

MARYLAND. 

"  No  person  whatsoever  shall  work  or  do  any  bodily  labor  on 
the  Lord's  day,  commonly  called  Sunday ;  and  no  person  having 
children,  servants,  or  slaves,  shall  command,  or  wittingly  or  wil- 
lingly suffer  any  of  them  to  do  any  manner  of  work  or  labor  on 
the  Lord's  day,  (works  of  necessity  and  charity  always  except- 
ed.)"   Passed,  1723. 

VIRGINIA. 

"  Sec.  5th.  If  any  person,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  shall  himself 
be  found  laboring  at  his  own,  or  any  other  trade  or  calling,  or 
shall  employ  his  apprentices,  servants,  or  slaves,  in  labor,  or 
other  business,  except  it  be  in  the  ordinary  household  offices  of 
daily  necessity,  or  other  works  of  necessity  or  charity ;"  then 
comes  the  penalty.     Passed,  1792. 

DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

The  same  as  in  Maryland  and  Virginia. 

NORTH    CAROLINA. 

'•'  An  act  for  the  more  effectual  suppression  of  vice  and  immo- 
rality. 
"  Sec.  1st.  Be  it  enacted  Z>y,"  &c.  "  That  all  and  every  per- 
son or  persons  whatsoever  shall,  on  the  Lord's  day,  commonly 
called  Sunday,  carefully  apply  themselves  to  the  duties  of  re- 
ligion and  piety;  and  that  no  tradesman,  artificer,  planter, 
laborer,  or  other  person  whatsoever,  shall,  upon  land  or  water, 
do  or  exercise  any  labor,  business,  or  work  of  their  ordinary 
calling  (works  of  necessity  and  charity  only  excepted,)  on  the 
Lord's  day,  or  any  part  thereof,"  &c. 

SOUTH   CAROLINA. 

"  Whereas  there  is  nothing  more  acceptable  to  God  than  the 


LAWS   OF   THE   STATES.  19 

true  and  sincere  service  and  worship  of  him,  according  to  his 
holy  will,  and  that  the  holy  keeping  of  the  Lord's  day  is  a  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  true  service  of  God,  which  in  many  places  of 
this  province  is  so  much  profaned  and  neglected  by  disorderly 
persons ; — 15^,  Be  it  therefore  enacted^''  &c.  "  That  all  and 
every  person  whatsoever,  shall,  on  every  Lord's  day,  apply 
themselves  to  the  observation  of  the  same,  by  exercising  them- 
selves thereon  in  the  duties  of  piety  and  true  religion,  publicly 
and  privately ;  and  having  no  reasonable  or  lawful  excuse,  on 
every  Lord's  day  shall  resort  to  their  parish  church,  or  some 
other  parish  church,  or  some  meeting,  or  assembly  of  religious 
worship,"  &c. 

<Sec.  2d  forbids  the  worldly  labor,  business  or  work  of  all 
"  tradesmen,  artificers,  workmen,  laborer,  or  any  other  person,  [on 
the  Lord's  day,]  (works  of  necessity  and  charity  only  excepted.)" 

Sec.  4^A  enjoins,  "That  no  drover,  wagoner,  butcher,  higler, 
they  or  any  of  their  servants,  or  any  other  traveler  or  person 
whatsoever,  shall  travel  on  the  Lord's  day  by  land  or  water," 
except  to  and  from  a  place  of  religious  worship,  and  to  visit 
the  sick,  &c. 

•S'ec.  8^A  prohibi  ts  the  working  of  slaves  or  servants  on  Sun- 
day.    Passed,  1712. 

GEORGIA. 

The  preamble  is  nearly  verbatim  as  the  last  above  written. 

Sec.  \st  requires  all  persons  to  attend  public  worship. 

iSec.  2d  forbids,  in  language  similar  to  the  above,  all  labor 
"  (except  works  of  necessity  and  charity,)"  on  the  Lord's  day. 
Traveling  and  the  working  of  slaves  are  also  prohibited  on  that 
day.     Passed,  1803. 

FLORIDA. 

Apprentices,  servants,  or  slaves,  are  not  allowed  to  labor  or 
be  employed  in  business  on  Sunday,  "  (works  of  necessity  and 
charity  excepted.)"    Passed,  1828. 


20  THE  SABBATH. 


ALABAMA. 


"  Sec.  1st.  No  worldly  business  or  employment,  ordinary  or 
servile  work,  (works  of  necessity  and  charity  excepted,)  *  * 
shall  be  done  or  performed  by  any  person  or  persons  within  this 
territory  on  the  Christian  Sabbath,"  &c. 

"  Sec.  2d.  No  wagoner,  carter,  drayman,  drover,  butcher,  or 
any  of  his  slaves  or  servants,  shall  ply  or  travel"  *  *  load  or 
unload,  or  drive  cattle  in  any  part  of  this  territory  on  Sunday. 
Passed,  1803. 

MISSISSIPPI. 

Sec.  2d  enjoins,  "  That  no  wagoner,  carter,  drayman,  drover, 
butcher,  or  any  of  his  slaves  or  servants,  shall  ply  or  travel  with 
his  wagon,  cart,  or  dray,"  load  or  unload,  or  drive  cattle,  sheep, 
or  swine,  fee,  on  Sunday. 

Sec.  Ath.  All  labor,  by  any  person,  either  free  or  bond,  "  (ex- 
cept works  of  necessity  or  charity,)"  is  forbidden  in  this  State 
on  Sunday.     Passed,  1822. 

LOUISIANA. 

No  law  has  been  found  in  regard  to  the  observance  of  the 
Sabbath  in  this  State. 

ARKANSAS. 

"  Resolved,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Territory  of  Ar- 
kansas, That  the  several  justices  of  the  peace,  and  other  civil 
officers  of  this  territory,  in  their  respective  districts,  be  request- 
ed to  take  special  notice  of  and  bring  to  justice,  all  offenders  of 
the  laws  of  this  territory  providing  for  keeping  holy  the  Sab- 
bath day." 

The  laws  prohibiting  Sabbath  desecration  referred  to  have 
not  been  found,  but  th€  above  is  evidence  that  such  do  exist. 

TENNESSEE. 

"  Sec.  1st.  Be  it  enacted"  &c.  "  That  if  any  merchant,  arti- 
ficer, tradesman,  farmer,  or  any  other  person,  shall  be  guilty  of 


LAWS   OF    THE   STATES.  21 

exercising  any  of  the  common  avocations  of  life,  or  of  causing 
or  permitting  the  same  to  be  done  by  his,  her  or  their  children 
or  servants,  (acts  of  real  necessity  or  charity  excepted,)  on  the 
Lord's  day,"  &c. ;  then  comes  the  penalty. 

"  Sec.  2d.  All  and  every  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  shall, 
on  the  Lord's  day,  commonly  called  Sunday,  carefully  apply 
themselves  to  the  duties  of  religion  and  piety,"  and  all  labor  on 
land  or  water,  "  (except  works  of  necessity  and  charity,)"  is 
prohibited  on  that  day.     Passed,  1803. 

KENTUCKY. 

"  Sec.  36th.  If  any  person,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  shall  himself 
be  found  laboring  at  his  own  or  any  other  trade  or  calling,  or 
shall  employ  his  apprentices,  servants,  or  slaves,  in  labor  or 
other  business,  whether  the  same  be  for  profit  or  amusement, 
(and  no  work  or  business  shall  be  done  or  performed  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  unless  it  be  the  ordinary  household  offices  of  daily 
necessity,  or  other  works  of  necessity  or  charity,)  he  shall  for- 
feit," &c.     Passed,  1822. 

MISSOURI. 

Sec.  2Sth  prohibits  all  labor  on  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
"  except  works  of  necessity  and  charity  ;)"  nor  are  Courts  per- 
mitted to  sit  on  Sunday,  except  to  receive  a  verdict  or  discharge 
a  jury  ; — ^neither  are  they  allowed  to  adjourn  to  that  day.  Ap- 
proved, 1835. 

ILLINOIS. 

Sec.  1st  prohibits  disturbing  the  peace  and  good  order  of  so- 
ciety by  labor  or  amusement  on  the  Lord's  day. 

Sec.  2d  prohibits  noise  and  amusement,  calculated  to  disturb 
the  peace  on  that  day.     Passed,  1827. 

Would  not  stage  and  boat  horns,  and  the  rumbling  of  carriages 
on  Sunday,  be  a  breach  of  this  law  ? 

INDIANA. 

Sec.  1st  prohibits  work  at  common  labor  on  Sunday.     Passed, 

1817. 


22  THE   SABBATH. 


"  Sec.  1st.  Be  it  enacted'^  &c.  "  That  if  any  person  of  the 
age  of  fourteen  years  and  upwards,  shall  be  found  on  the  first 
day  of  the  week,  commonly  called  Sunday,  sporting,  rioting, 
quarreling,  hunting,  fishing,  shooting,  or  at  common  labor, 
(works  of  necessity  and  charity  only  excepted)" — then  follows 
the  penalty ;  and  exceptions  for  those  who  keep  the  seventh  day 
as  a  Sabbath, — those  who  are  emigrating  with  their  families, — 
watermen  who  wish  to  land  their  passengers ;  superintendents, 
or  keepers  of  toll  bridges,  who  wish  to  attend  to  the  same ;  and 
ferrymen.     Passed,  1831. 

MICHIGAN. 

Believing  "  that  in  every  community,  some  portion  of  time 
ought  to  be  set  apart  for  relaxation  from  worldly  care  and  em- 
ployments, and  devoted  to  the  social  worship  of  Almighty  God, 
and  the  attainment  of  religious  and  moral  instruction,  which  are 
in  the  highest  degree  promotive  of  the  peace,  happiness,  and 
prosperity  of  a  people,"  Therefore,  "jBe  it  enacted  by  the  Gov- 
ernor, and  Judges  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  That  the  first 
day  of  the  week  shall  be  kept  and  observed  by  the  good  people 
of  this  Territory,  as  a  Sabbath,  holy  day,  or  day  of  rest  from  all 
secular  labor,  or  employments,  (works  of  necessity  and  charity 
excepted.)" 


LAWS  OF  CONGRESS. 

"  Sec.  3d.  And  he  [the  Postmaster-General]  shall  provide 
for  carrying  the  mail  of  the  United  States  by  stage,  carriages,  or 
horses,  as  he  may  judge  most  expedient ;  and  as  often  as  he, 
having  regard  to  the  productiveness  thereof  as  well  as  other  cir- 
cumstances, shall  think  proper.  *  *  He  shall,  also,  have  power 
to  prescribe  such  requisitions  to  the  deputy  Postmasters,  and 
others  employed  under  him,  as  may  be  found  necessary." 

"  Sec.  5th.  That  if  any  person  shall  obstruct  or  retard  the  pas- 


LAWS    OF    CONGRESS.  23 

sage  of  the  mail,  or  of  any  horse  or  carriage  carrying  the  same, 
he  shall,  upon  conviction,"  &c. 

"  Sec.  1th.  That  every  deputy  Postmaster  shall  keep  an  office, 
in  which  one  or  more  persons  shall  attend,  at  such  hours  as  the 
Postmaster-General  shall  direct,  for  the  purpose  of  performing 
the  duties  thereof."  Approved,  1792. — Story^s  United  States 
Laws,  Vol.  1st. 

The  above,  in  substance,  was  re-enacted  and  approved.  May 
8th,  1794.     Here  Congress  ought  to  have  left  the  subject. 

"  Sec.  9th.  That  every  Postmaster  shall  keep  an  office,  in 
which  one  or  more  persons  shall  attend  on  every  day  on  which 
a  mail  or  bag,  or  other  packet,  or  parcel  of  letters  shall  arrive, 
by  land  or  water,  as  well  as  on  other  days,  at  such  hours  as  the 
Postmaster-General  shall  direct,  for  the  purpose  of  performing 
the  duties  thereof;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Postmaster,  at 
all  reasonable  hours,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to  deliver,  on 
demand,  any  letter,  paper,  or  packet,  to  the  person  entitled  to,  or 
authorized  to  receive  the  same." — Story^s  United  States  Laws. 
Approved,  April  30,  1810 — Re-enacted  and  approved  March  3d, 
1825. 

In  this  section  occurs  the  objectionable  clause,  the  first  and 
only  one  which  requires  labor  on  Sunday.  It  is  true,  if  the 
Postmaster-General  directs  the  mail  to  be  carried  on  that  day, 
then,  by  a  law  of  Congress,  the  deputy  Postmaster  is  required  to 
be  in  his  office  and  receive  it. 


CHAPTER   II. 

PETITIONS    AND    REMONSTRANCES    AGAINST     SUNDAY 
MAILS. 

It  is  believed  by  some  and  denied  by  others,  that  the  mail,  in 
this  country,  has  been  carried,  on  Sunday,  on  some  of  the  import- 
ant routes,  ever  since  the  establishment  of  the  Postoffice  De- 
partment. This  practice  was  introduced,  and  has  been  continued, 
by  the  Postmasters-General,  who  claim  to  derive  their  authority 
for  so  doing,  from  the  law  last  quoted.  But  they  are  under  no 
oiligatioTiy  civil  or  religious,  thus  to  send  the  mail  through  the 
land.  They  assume  the  responsibility  of  that  act,  and  Congress 
assumes  the  responsibility  of  requiiing  deputy  Postmasters  to 
violate  the  laws  of  most  of  the  States  and  Territories,  and  the 
law  of  God. 

It  is  scarcely  to  be  credited,  that,  if  the  mail  was  thus  carried, 
our  forefathers  would  not  have  left  on  record  long  and  repeated 
remonstrances  against  so  glaring  a  violation  of  the  divine  law. 
Perhaps  they  did  remonstrate,  but  the  earliest  applications  to 
Congress  that  we  have  found  are  recorded  below,  and  relate,  not 
so  much  to  carrying,  as  to  distributing  the  mail,  or  to  the  law 
requiring  Postmasters  to  labor  on  Sunday,  enacted  1810. 

Gideon  Granger^s  Report. 

"  11th  Congress.  No.  26.  3d  Session. 

"  Remonstrances  against    the    delivery  of  letters,  papers,   and 

packages,  at  Postoffices,   on   Sunday,    communicated   to    the 

House  of  Representatives,  January  31.s^,  1811. 

"  The  Postmaster-General,  in  obedience  to  the  resolutions,  (re- 
ferring to  him  two  memorials  from  sundry  citizens  of  Philadel- 
phia and  New- York,  substantially  similar,  the  first  of  which  fol- 
lows this  report,)  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  25 

States,  passed  on  the  4th  and  18th  of  the  present  month,  respect- 
fully reports ; — 

"  That  to  keep  the  government  and  its  agents  informed  of 
such  events  as  might  be  interesting  to  the  nation  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible ;  to  equalize,  among  the  merchants  of  the  seve- 
ral capitals,  the  chances  of  receiving  commercial  information ; 
and  to  cause  the  great  lines  of  communication  to  and  from  the 
center  to  the  various  parts  of  the  nation,  to  be  kept  up  with  regu- 
larity and  dispatch,  and  the  routes  to  be  performed  within  the 
least  time  practicable ;  he  has  caused  the  mail,  on  many  of  the 
most  important  routes,  to  be  transported  on  the  Sabbath ;  under 
a  belief  that  it  was  a  work  of  necessity."  [Worldly  considera- 
tions and  advantages  merely^  irrespective  of  the  law  of  God,  con- 
stitute the  "  work  of  necessity  !"] 

"  To  guard  against  any  annoyance  to  the  good  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  he  carefully  instructed  and  directed  the  agents  of 
this  office  to  pass  quietly,  without  announcing  their  arrival  or 
departure  by  the  sounding  of  horns  or  trumpets,  or  any  other 
act  calculated  to  call  off  the  attention  of  the  citizens  from  their 
devotions :  but,  until  after  the  passage  of  the  act  of  the  30th  of 
April,  1810,  this  office  never  demanded  of  the  Postmasters,  on 
the  Sabbath  day,  the  performance  of  any  duties,  other  than  those 
of  taking  from  the  mail  portmanteaus,  the  letters  destined  for 
delivery  at  the  particular  office,  and  duly  forwarding  the  mail 
according  to  the  usual  course  of  business.  In  all  previous  in- 
stances, where  letters  were  delivered  to  the  citizens,  it  had  been 
by  the  courtesy  of  the  Postmasters,  though  often  with  the  know- 
ledge, and  sometimes  on  the  recommendation,  of  the  Postmas- 
ter-General. That,  under  and  by  virtue  of  the  9th  section  of 
the  act  of  the  30th  of  April,  1810,  the  Postmaster-General  con- 
ceived himself  bound  to  compel  the  Postmasters  to  receive  let- 
ters from,  and  deliver  letters  to,  the  citizens  on  the  Sabbath  day  ; 
and,  in  conformity  to  that  act,  the  following  instruction  was 
given  to  the  Postmasters,  to  wit ;  '  At  Postoffices  where  the  mail 
arrives  on  Sunday,  the  office  is  to  be  kept  open  for  the  delivery 
of  letters,  &:c.,  for  one  hour  after  the  arrival  and  assorting  of  the 
mail ;  but  in  case  that  would  interfere  with  the  hours  of  public 
worship,  then  the  office  is  to  be  kept  open  for  one  hour  after  the 
3 


26  THE   SABBATH. 

usual  time  of  dissolving  the  meetings,  for  that  purpose.'"  [All 
instructions  and  directions  to  mail  carriers,  to  pass  quietly  and 
noiselessly,  to  and  from  the  Postoffices,  on  Sunday,  have  long 
since  been  insufficient  to  guard  the  public  against  frequent  in- 
terruptions from  this  source  on  the  day  devoted  to  rest  and  reli- 
gious worship.  And  this  might  have  been  anticipated.  A  li- 
cense to  do  wrong  in  one  instance,  leads  to  wrong  doing  in 
many.] 

*  *  "  Although  in  cases  of  extreme  anxiety  or  national  calam- 
ity, it  may  be  proper  for  Postmasters  to  open  their  offices  for  the 
reception  and  delivery  of  letters  on  the  Sabbath,  and  particularly 
to  the  officers  of  Government,  still  it  is  believed,  that  the  good 
sense  of  the  officers  is  a  sufficient  safeguard  for  the  delivery  of 
letters  under  all  such  circumstances ;  and  that  compelling  the 
Postmasters  to  attend  to  the  duties  of  the  office  on  the  Sabbath, 
is,  on  them,  a  hardship,  as  well  as  in  itself  tending  to  bring  into 
disuse  and  disrepute  the  institutions  of  that  holy  day. 

"  All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

"  Gideon  Grangee,  Postmaster-General. 
«  General  Postoffice,  JarCy  30th,  1811." 

At  this  early  period,  there  appear  to  have  been  some  scruples 
in  the  minds  of  public  officers,  as  to  the  propriety  and  justice  of 
compelling  men  to  labor  on  Sunday ;  and  thereby  lending  their 
influence  to  destroy  its  sanctity.  But  familiarity  with  the  prac- 
tice has  rendered  men  callous  to  the  divine  claims — the  natu- 
ral and  unavoidable  consequence  of  indulging  in  any  known  sin. 

Remonstrance  from  Philadelphia. 
"  To  the  honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  United  States  in  Congress,  the  memorial,  representation, 
and  petition  of  the  undersigned  citizens,  resident  in  Philadel- 
phia, respectfully  represent : — 

"  That  ever  since  the  establishment  of  the  Postoffice  in  this 
city,  the  Postmaster,  conforming  to  the  established  laws  of  the 
Commonwealth,  has,  until  a  short  time  since,  kept  the  office  for 
the  receiving  and  delivering  of  letters  shut  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  usually  called  the  Lord's  day;  that,  as  well  himself,  as 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  27 

the  different  persons  employed  in  that  department,  have  hither- 
to enjoyed  the  privileges  of  that  day  in  common  with  their  fel- 
lov^r-citizens. 

"  Your  memorialists,  however,  some  few  months  past,  have 
observed  the  Postoffice  open,  for  the  distribution  of  letters  on  the 
said  first  day  of  the  week  ;  and  are  told  that  this  measure,  which 
infringes  upon  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  is  in  con- 
sequence of  a  provision  in  the  act  passed  by  your  honorable  body, 
on  the  2oth  of  April  last,  and  which,  by  the  9th  section  thereof, 
provides,  '  that  every  Postmaster  shall  keep  an  office,  at  which 
one  or  more  persons  shall  attend  on  every  day  on  which  a  mail, 
or  bag,  or  other  packet,  or  parcel  of  letters  shall  arrive,  by  land  or 
water,  as  well  as  on  other  days,  at  such  hours  as  the  Postmaster- 
General  shall  direct.  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Postmaster, 
at  all  reasonable  hours,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to  deliver,  on 
demand,  any  letter,  or  packet,'  &c. 

"  Your  memorialists  are  informed  that,  under  this  clause,  the 
Postmasters  are  compelled  to  keep  the  office  open  on  the  Lord's 
day ;  to  the  evident  infringement  of  the  laws  now  in  force  in 
this  State,  against  the  violation  thereof 

"  Your  memorialists  respectfully  call  the  attention  of  your 
honorable  body  to  this  subject,  even  on  the  ground  of  utility. 
For  many  years  the  city  of  Philadelphia  has  carried  on  a  pros- 
perous and  extensive  commerce,  without  violating  what  they 
deem  it  their  duty  to  state  to  be,  both  the  law  of  God  and  man. 
Nor  can  they  see  any  greater  impropriety  in  keeping  open  the 
custom-house,  the  banks,  insurance  offices,  and  stores  of  mer- 
chants, generally,  than  of  the  Postoffice.  For  if  the  reception, 
of  letters  can  be  made  of  any  material  advantage  to  our  mer- 
chants, much  more  may  those  useful  institutions  be  made  sub- 
servient to  their  purpose. 

"  Your  memorialists  cannot,  in  justice  to  their  own  feelings, 
refrain  from  observing,  that  the  violation  of  known  and  univer- 
sally received  precepts,  when  sanctioned  by  the  most  powerful 
influence  in  the  Union,  cannot  fail  of  having  a  tendency  to  jus- 
tify every  species  of  breach  of  the  laws  made  for  the  strict  ob- 
servance of  the  first  day  of  the  week,  as  set  apart  by  the  com- 
mand of  God  for  his  more  immediate  service. 


28  THE  SABBATH. 

"  They  do,  therefore,  most  respectfully  and  earnestly  petition 
your  honorable  body,  that  the  said  9th  section  of  the  act,  entitled 
•  An  act  regulating  the  Postoffice  establishment,'  and  passed  the 
25th  of  April  last,  may  be  so  amended,  as  to  prohibit  the  deli- 
very of  letters,  papers,  and  packets,  on  the  said  first  day  of  the 
week,  commonly  called  the  Lord's  day.  And  your  petitioners, 
as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray. 

James  P.  Wilson,  and  others." 

The  above  petition  contains  an  example  of  Christian  and  phi- 
lanthropic faithfulness.  Had  every  friend  of  the  Sabbath  in  this 
country  sent  to  Congress  similar  remonstrances,  and  continued 
to  send  them,  long  ago  would  this  nation  have  ceased  to  be  a 
Sabbath-breaking  nation.  There  was  at  that  time  abundant 
influence,  which  might  have  been  brought  to  bear  on  oiu*  na- 
tional Legislature,  to  induce  them  to  repeal  an  act  requiring  a 
certain  portion  of  our  citizens  to  violate  a  plain  and  an  acknow- 
ledged command  of  God.  For  the  neglect  of  this  duty  and  the 
consequent  evils,  the  Church  is  responsible.  God  cannot  lightly 
estimate  her  guilt  in  suffering  so  important  a  command  to  be 
Wotted  from  the  statute  book  of  this  republic.  She  must  yet 
come  forward  and  redeem  this  institution  from  the  contempt 
into  which  it  has  fallen,  or,  with  those  who  have  trampled  upon 
it,  sink  into  anarchy  and  heathenism. 

Reports  of  Mr.  Rhea. 

"  12th  Congress.  No.  27.  1st  Session. 

Communicated  to  the  House  of  Representatives^  Jan.  3,  1812. 

"  The  Committee  on  the  Postoffice  and  post-roads,  to  whom 
were  referred  the  petition  of  the  S^Tiod  of  Pittsburgh  and  other 
citizens  of  several  Christian  denominations,  residing  in  the  west- 
em  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  the  report  of  the  Postmaster- 
General  thereon,  have  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and 
do  respectfully  report : 

"  That  however  desirable  it  would  be  to  advise  the  adoption 
of  such  regulations  relative  to  the  carrying  and  opening  of  the 
mail  as  might  meet  the  views  of  the  venerable  Synod  of  Pitts- 


SUNDAY  MIALS.  29 

burgh  and  the  other  petitioners,  your  committee  cannot,  at  this 
peculiar  crisis  of  the  United  States,  recommend  any  alterations 
in  the  laAv  regxdating  the  Postoffice  establishment ;  and  do  re- 
spectfully submit  the  following  resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  petitioners  have  leave  to  withdraw  their 
petition." 

"  13th  Congress.  No.  29.  3d  Session. 

*'  Communicated  to  the  House  of  Representatives^  Jan.  20,  1815. 

"  Mr.  Rhea,  from  the  committee  on  the  Postoffice  and  post- 
roads,  to  whom  were  referred  sundry  petitions  and  memorials 
remonstrating  against  the  usage  of  transporting  and  opening  the 
mail  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  report  of  the  Postmaster-General 
relating  thereto,  reported : 

"  That  they  have  had  the  same  imder  consideration,  and 
deeming  it  of  great  national  importance,  particularly  in  time  of 
war,  that  no  delay  should  attend  the  transportation  of  the  mail, 
they  deem  it  inexpedient  to  interfere  with  the  present  arrange- 
ment of  the  Postoffice  establishment,  and  therefore  submit  the 
following  resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  grant  the  prayer  of  the 
petitioners." 

From  Return  J.  Meigs,  Postmaster-General. 

General  Postoffice,  Jan.  16,  1815. 

"  Sm, — The  Postmaster  General,  to  whom  were  referred  sun- 
dry memorials  against  the  usage  of  transporting  and  opening  the 
mails  on  the  Sabbath,  has  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
facts  and  observations : 

"  The  usage  of  transporting  the  mails  on  the  Sabbath  is  coeval 
with  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 

[Here  follows  a  statement  showing  the  different  routes  on 
which  the  mail  is  transported  on  Sunday,  and  the  delays  which 
a  suspension  of  the  mail  on  that  day  would  occasion.  He  then 
proceeds,]  "  and  generally,  the  mails  would  on  an  average,  be 
retarded  equal  to  one-seventh  part  of  the  time  now  employed." 
[And  might  not  the  same  be  said  should  other  business  be  sus- 
pended one-seventh  part  of  the  time  ?     The  farmer,  who  in  har- 


30  THE  SABBATH. 

vest  should  lie  by  on  Sunday,  would  lose  one-seventh  part  of 
his  time.  So  also  the  mechanic,  the  manufacturer,  the  profes- 
sional man,  &c.  &:c.  This  is  arguing  on  the  principle  assumed 
by  those  who  consider  time  spent  in  keeping  the  Sabbath  as 
lost,  which  is  by  no  means  admitted.  And  have  the  people  of 
these  United  States  any  more  right  to  demand  a  mail  on  Sun- 
day than  the  contmuance  of  other  avocations,  perhaps  equally 
important  ?  But  a  question  of  loss  or  gain  is  never,  for  a  mo- 
ment, to  be  put  in  competition  with  a  known  command  of  our 
Creator  and  Benefactor.  It  is  sufficient,  in  any  case,  that  we 
have  a  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord,"  for  our  guide. 

When  speaking  of  the  law  requiring  Postmasters  to  attend  to 
the  duties  of  their  office  on  Sunday,  he  says,  "  in  most  of  the  of- 
fices, it  occupies  but  little  time,  and  cannot  greatly  interfere  with 
religious  exercises ;"  intimating  at  least  that  if  a  man  attends 
public  worship  on  a  Sunday,  he  need  not  hesitate  about  secu- 
larizing the  rest  of  the  day ;  that  merely  opening  and  distribut- 
ing the  mail  on  Sunday  cannot  be  a  serious  violation  of  God's 
law.     He  continues,] 

"  It  is  to  be  observed,  that  public  policy,  pure  morality,  and 
undefiled  religion,  combine  in  favor  of  a  due  observance  of  the 
Sabbath.  Nevertheless,  a  nation  owes  to  itself  an  exercise  of 
means  adapted  to  its  oAvn  preservation,"  &c. 

It  is  best  to  serve  and  obey  God,  if  we  think  our  safety  and 
prosperity  will  be  promoted  by  it ;  but  not  otherwise !  The 
city  must  be  guarded  in  the  way  dictated  by  our  wisdom,  irre- 
spective of  the  fact,  that  unless  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the 
watchmen  watch  in  vain.  It  is  greatly  to  be  lamented,  that  so 
many  politicians  and  statesmen  of  the  present  day,  inculcate 
principles  and  exhibit  examples,  which  cannot  be  safely  followed. 

Report  of  Mr.  Daggett. 
"  13th  Congress.  No.  30.  3d  Session. 

Mr.  Daggett  communicated  to  the  Senate  a  report,  dated 
January  27,  1815,  as  follows : 

"  The  committee  of  the  Senate,  to  whom  were  referred  the 
petitions  of  numerous  citizens  of  the  States  of  New  Hampshire, 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  31 

Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  North  Carolina,  and  Ohio,  praying 
the  Congress  to  prohibit  the  transportation  and  opening  of  the 
mail  on  the  Sabbath,  having  attended  to  the  duty  assigned  them, 
respectfully  report : 

"  That  the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  the  motives  which 
actuate  so  large  a  portion  of  their  fellow-citizens,  are  duly  re- 
garded and  appreciated.  Were  the  practice  of  the  transporta- 
tion of  the  mail  on  every  day  of  the  week  now  commenced,  and 
that  of  opening  it  on  the  Sabbath  under  no  regulations,  the 
committee  would  consider  it  necessary  to  make  some  legislative 
provision  un  the  subject.  The  General  Government,  from  its 
establishment,  has  pursued  a  system  of  causing  the  mail  to  be 
transported  on  the  Sabbath,  on  the  great  roads  leading  through 
and  across  the  country,  while  the  practice  has  been  avoided  on 
routes  of  less  importance.  The  public  convenience  has  justified 
these  measures,  in  view  of  the  government." 

The  public  convenience  justifies  the  violation  of  the  fourth 
commandment !  He  next  refers  to  the  objectionable  law,  and 
the  regulations  relative  to  delivering  letters  out  of  the  ordinary 
season  for  divine  service,  and  concludes  with  presuming  that  the 
Postmaster-General  will  continue  this  regulation ;  and  consider- 
ing that  our  country  is  engaged  in  war,  deems  it  not  advisable 
to  pass  ANY  LAW  ou  the  subject  matter  of  the  petitions. 

Report  of  Mr.  Mills. 

"  14th  Congress.     No.  1.  (In  the  Appendix.)       2d  Session. 

Mr.  Mills  communicated  to  the  House  of  Representatives 
the  following  report,  dated  March  1,  1817  : 

"^The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  sundry  petitions,  from 
different  parts  of  the  United  States,  praying  that  Congress 
would  prohibit,  by  law,  the  transportation  and  opening  of  the 
maU  on  the  Sabbath,  ask  leave  to  report :  That  they  have  de- 
voted that  attention  to  the  said  petitions,  which  the  importance 
of  the  subject,  and  the  motives  which  actuated  so  respectable  a 
portion  of  their  fellow-citizens,  seemed  to  require." 

Then  follow  a  number  of  inquiries  proposed  to  Return  J. 
Meigs,  Postmaster-General,  the  last  of  which  is,  "  Would  the 
prohibition  of  the  transportation  and  opening  of  the  mail  on  the 


32  THE  SABBATH. 

Sabbath  essentially  impede  the  arrangements  of  your  depart- 
ment, or  injure  the  public  interest  ?" 

[This  inquiry  implies  that  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  must  bow 
to  Postoffice  arrangements  and  public  interest.  The  Postmaster- 
General,  in  his  answer,  after  referring  to  the  existing  laws,  al- 
ready quoted,  to  the  short  time  occupied  in  delivering  letters,  and 
to  the  detention  of  the  mail  as  a  general  loss  of  one-seventh  part 
of  time,  remarks,]  "  The  usage  of  transporting  the  mail  on  the 
Sabbath  is  coeval  with  the  government  under  the  present  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  though  the  practice  of  delivering 
letters  on  the  Sabbath  is  of  more  recent  origin,  and  commenced  in 
1810."  He  concludes  in  the  following  language :  "  The  contents 
of  the  mail  are  not  confined  to  public  dispatches,  nor  to  subjects 
of  private  business  or  pleasure.  The  same  mail  which  transports 
such,  equally  accelerates  supplies  to  want,  consolation  to  afflic- 
tion, and  to  piety  evangelical  correspondence ;  and  thus,  per- 
forming works  of  charity,  it  may  be  considered  as  cloiiig  good 
on  the  Sabbath  day."  [Wonder  if  the  General  Government 
would  think  it  worth  the  while  to  maintain  Sunday  mails  for 
the  benevolent  purpose  of  "  conveying  supplies  to  want,  conso- 
lation to  affliction,"  &c.] 

"  In  addition  to  the  foregoing  letter  [from  the  Postmaster- 
General,]  the  committee  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  they  cor- 
dially agree  with  the  petitioners  in  the  importance  of  a  religious 
observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath — an  institution  calculated 
to  afford  an  opportunity  for  relaxation  from  labor  and  worldly 
cares;  for  reflection  upon  serious  and  moral  subjects  ;  for  devout 
adoration  of  the  Creator  and  Governor  of  the  World  ;  for  acts  of 
charity  and  benevolence,  and  for  the  exercise  and  improvement 
of  all  those  virtues  which  adorn  the  nature  and  contribute  to  the 
happiness  of  man." 

The  following  remark  and  resolutions  close  the  report : 

"  But,  although  the  committee  believe  it  necessary  to  con- 
tinue the  transportation  of  the  mail,  they  do  not  perceive  that 
the  same  necessity  exists  for  the  delivery  of  letters  at  the  re- 
spective Postoffices  on  the  Sabbath.  They  therefore  report  the 
following  resolutions : 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  33 

'^Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient,  at  this  time,  to  pass  any 
law  respecting  the  transportation  of  the  mail. 

"  Resolved,  That  provision  be  made,  by  law,  to  prohibit  the 
delivery  of  letters  at  the  respective  Postoffices  of  the  United 
States  on  the  Sabbath." 

From  this  time  no  public  proceedings  in  relation  to  Sunday 
mails  are  found  till  1829.  From  the  Report  of  Mr.  Johnson,  of 
Kentucky,  communicated  to  the  Senate  of  the  Twentieth  Con- 
gress, at  their  second  session,  January  19th,  1829,  it  appears, 
that  numerous  petitions,  similar  to  the  above,  had  then  been 
received,  and  referred  to  a  committee. 

This  was  the  period  of  the  pioneer  effort,  in  the  western  part 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  of  general  interest  awakened  in 
behalf  of  the  Christian  Sabbath. 

Petitions  were  also  presented,  in  great  numbers,  to  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  same  Congress,  and  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Postoffices  and  postroads.  Their  chairman,  the 
Hon.  Sabiuel  McKean,  communicated  to  the  House  a  report 
thereon,  February  3d,  1829.  This  report  speaks  in  respectful 
terms  of  the  petitioners,  and  of  their  motives — of  the  high  im- 
portance of  the  Sabbath,  civilly  as  well  as  religiously — of  its 
recognition  by  the  United  States'  Government,  &c.  &c.  It  then 
introduces  a  train  of  reasoning,  somewhat  analogous  to  that  al- 
ready objected  to  in  the  reports  above  commented  upon,  and 
closes  with  remarks  and  a  resolution  in  favor  of  a  repeal  of  the 
law  requiring  Postmasters  to  deliver  letters,  &c.  on  Sunday. 

In  connection  with  this  report  is  found  a  communication  to 
the  Chairman,  from  the  Hon.  John  McLean,  Postmaster- Gen- 
eral^ dated  January  19th,  1829,  answering  several  interrogato- 
ries in  relation  to  the  pecuniary  income,  the  speed  of  the  mail, 
and  the  effects  on  commercial  interests,  should  the  prayer  of  the 
petitioners  be  granted.  Speaking  of  the  commencement  of 
Sunday  mails,  Mr.  McLean  says,  "  A  daily  mail  has  been  in 
operation,  on  some  routes,  almost  ever  since  the  organization  of 
this  department  under  the  Federal  Government."  From  this 
language,  it  is  obvious,  that  its  author  supposed  the  transporta- 
tion of  the  mail  on  Sunday  in  this  country,  was  not  "  coeval 


34  THE  SABBATH. 

with  the  establishment  of  the  Postoffice  department,"  as  has 
been  stated. 

It  should  be  recollected,  that  in  a  number  of  instances,  the 
committees  of  Congress,  while  they  opposed  the  passage  of  a 
law  prohibiting  the  transportation  of  the  mail  on  Sunday,  have, 
nevertheless,  been  in  favor  of  a  repeal  of  the  clause  compelling 
Postmasters  to  deliver  letters,  &c.,  on  that  day,  and  have  re- 
commended the  repeal  of  the  same, — the  very  clause  complained 
of  in  the  petitions  of  1838  and  1839. 

The  Hon.  W.  T.  Barry,  Postmaster-General,  communicated 
to  the  Twenty-first  Congress,  first  session,  March  4th,  1830,  "  a 
statement  of  the  post-routes  within  the  United  States  on  which 
the  mail  is  transported  on  Sunday."  The  number,  according  to 
this  report,  was  nearly  300 — extending  through  the  whole  coun- 
try, on  all  the  great  thoroughfares.  What  an  astonishing 
amount  of  Sabbath  desecration  must  have  resulted.  The  in- 
crease of  these  mails,  since  that  time,  has  been  great,  and  must 
be  greater  still.  When  we  contrast  the  temporal  and  spiritual 
interests  of  all  those  engaged  in  this  demoralizing  practice,  with 
the  pecuniary  benefits  derived  to  the  nation,  or  to  individuals, 
can  any  one,  properly  enlightened,  for  a  moment  doubt  the  in- 
utility and  inexpediency  of  such  a  measure  ?  It  destroys  mo- 
rality and  good  order,  mental  and  physical  energy,  and  the 
brightest  prospects  of  the  undying  soul. 

Although  Sunday  mails  may  give  temporary  pleasure  and 
profit  to  few,  they  bring  bankruptcy  and  eternal  pain  on  many. 
And  that  man  who  demands  a  Sunday  mail  can  be  neither  a 
philanthropist,  a  patriot,  nor  a  consistent  Christian.  Is  not  he 
a  Sabbath  breaker,  as  well  as  the  man  who  carries,  or  opens 
and  distributes  it  ?  Hear  what  Dr.  Adam  Clark,  in  his  com- 
mentary, says  of  the  Sabbath  breaker.  "  Those  who  habitually 
disregard  its  [the  Sabbath's]  moral  obligations,  are,  to  a  man, 
not  only  good  for  nothing,  but  are  wretched  in  themselves,  a 
curse  to  society,  and  often  end  their  lives  miserably."  What 
has  God  said  concerning  them  ?  To  such  an  inquiry,  the  friends 
of  Sunday  mails  strenuously  object,  as  is  apparent  from  the  fol- 
lowing passage  m  Mr.  Johnson's  first  report.  "  The  petitioners 
appear,  in  many  instances,  to  lay  it  down  as  an  axiom,  that  the 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  35 

practice  is  a  violation  of  the  law  of  God."  But  can  the  trae 
philanthropist  and  the  consistent  Christian,  though  they  be 
"  civil  legislators  merely,"  overlook  the  bearing  of  such  ques- 
tions on  the  moral  and  political  destinies  of  those  for  whom  they 
legislate  ?  Even  if  Congress  refuse  to  prohibit  Sunday  mails,  by 
law,  they  should  not  require  of  any  man  labor  on  that  day. 
And,  by  example,  they  ought  in  all  things  to  lend  their  influ- 
ence to  sustain  an  institution,  on  which  rests  the  hope,  not  only 
of  the  Christian,  but  of  the  patriot  and  the  world. 

The  next  document  to  which  we  come,  is  the  Report  of  Hon. 
E..  M.  Johnson,  communicated  to  the  House  of  Representatives, 
March  4th  and  5th,  1830,  at  the  first  session  of  the  Twenty-first 
Congress.  This  report  partakes  of  the  same  sophistry  and  vitu- 
peration of  the  one  made  to  the  Senate  in  1829.  It  has  already 
been  reviewed  by  able  men,  and  shown  to  be  most  unkind,  un- 
fair, and  unchristian.  Satan  never  accomplished  a  greater  tem- 
porary victory  over  this  institution,  through  any  agency,  in  any 
country,  unless  the  infidelit}^'  of  France  be  an  exception,  than 
was  accomplished  by  this  and  the  former  reports.  As  he  some- 
times transforms  himself  into  an  angel  of  light,  that  he  may  the 
better  succeed  in  his  nefarious  designs,  so  do  these  reports. 
They  admit  just  enough  of  the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion, 
and  of  the  importance  of  the  Sabbath,  to  throw  the  reader  off 
his  guard ;  and  then,  by  bold  and  unfounded  assumptions,  by 
false  premises  and  wrong  conclusions,  lead  him  to  think  that 
the  writer  is  contendmg,  legitimately,  against  a  reality,  and  not 
fallaciously,  against  a  figment  of  his  disordered  imagination. 
But  no  discriminating  mind,  and  especially  no  enlightened  Chris- 
tian can  fail  to  see  in  these  reports  blank  infidelity,  touching 
this  institution,  and  the  right  of  God  to  require  its  observance. 

It  is  greatly  to  be  desired,  that  the  writers  of  these  reports 
may  see  the  error  of  the  course  they  have  pursued,  and  repent 
of  it,  though  they  can  never  make  amends  for  all  the  evil  brought 
on  the  nation  through  these  instrumentalities. 

Report  of  Hon.  Mr.  McCreery. 

The  Hon.  Mr.  McCreery,  of  the  same  committee,  submit- 
ted his  views  on  this  subject  to  the  House,  March  5th,  1830,  de- 


36  THE  SABBATH. 

fending  the  aspersed  character,  impugned  motives,  and  misrepre- 
sented views  of  the  petitioners ;  as  vi^ell  as  the  principles  for 
which  they  contended.  It  is  a  document  too  sensible,  candid, 
and  too  much  m  point,  to  be  withheld  from  the  reader. 

"  All  Christian  nations  acknowledge  the  first  day  of  the  week 
to  be  the  Sabbath.  Almost  every  state  in  this  Union  has,  by 
positive  legislation,  not  only  recognized  this  day  as  sacred,  but 
has  forbidden  its  profanation  under  penalties  imposed  by  law. 

"  It  was  never  considered  by  any  of  those  states  as  an  en- 
croachment upon  the  rights  of  conscience,  or  as  an  improper  in- 
terference with  the  opinions  of  the  few,  to  guard  the  sacredness 
of  that  portion  of  time  acknowledged  to  be  holy  by  the  many. 

"  The  petitioners  ask  not  Congress  to  expound  the  moral  law; 
they  ask  not  Congress  to  meddle  with  theological  controversies, 
much  less  to  interfere  with  the  rights  of  the  Jew,  or  the  Sabba- 
tarian ;  or  to  treat  with  the  least  disrespect  the  religious  feel- 
ings of  any  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Union ;  they  ask 
the  introduction  of  no  religious  coercion  into  our  civil  institu- 
tions ;  no  blending  of  civil  and  religious  affairs ;  but  they  do  ask 
that  the  agents  of  Government,  employed  in  the  Postoffice  De- 
partment, may  be  permitted  to  enjoy  the  same  opportunities  of 
attending  to  moral  and  religious  instruction,  or  intellectual  im- 
provement, on  that  day  which  is  enjoyed  by  the  rest  of  their  fel- 
low-citizens. They  approach  the  Government,  not  for  personal 
emolument,  but  as  patriots  and  Christians,  to  express  their  high 
sense  of  the  moral  energy  and  necessity  of  the  Sabbath  for  the 
perpetuity  of  our  republican  institutions,  and  respectfully  request 
that  Congress  will  not,  by  legislative  enactments,  impair  these 
energies. 

"  Among  the  many  reasons  which  might  be  advanced,  that  it 
is  both  expedient  and  a  duty  to  grant  the  prayer  of  the  petition- 
ers, the  following  only  are  submitted : — 

"  The  petitioners  ask  the  enactment  of  no  law  establishing 
the  first  day  of  the  week  as  the  Christian  Sabbath  ;  they  only 
ask  the  extension  and  application  to  one  department  of  Govern- 
ment, of  a  principle,  which  is  recognized,  and  has,  since  the  foun- 
dation of  our  Government,  been  acknowledged  in  every  other  de- 
partment.    The  principle  embraced  in  the  petitions  has  been  re- 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  37 

cognized  by  Congress,  by  adjourning  over  the  first  day  of  the 
week.  *  *  All  the  other  Executive  Departments  of  Govern- 
ment are  closed  on  that  day.  Congress  has  never,  by  this,  con- 
sidered itself  expounding  the  moral  law,  or  as  introducing  any 
religious  coercion  into  our  civil  institutions ;  or  making  any  in- 
novations on  the  religious  rights  of  the  citizens ;  or  settling,  by 
legislation,  any  theological  question  that  may  exist  between 
Jews,  Sabbatarians,  and  other  denominations.  The  good  of  so- 
ciety requires  the  strict  observance  of  one  day  in  seven.  Paley, 
'  and  other  writers  on  moral  philosophy,  have  shown,  that  the 
resting  of  men  every  seventh  day ;  their  winding  up  their  la- 
bors and  concerns  once  in  seven  days  ;  their  abstraction  from  the 
affairs  of  the  world,  to  improve  their  minds  and  converse  with 
their  Maker  ;  their  orderly  attendance  on  public  worship  and  in- 
struction, have  a  direct  and  powerful  tendency  to  improve  the 
morals  and  temporal  happiness  of  mankind. 

"  The  wise  and  good  Ruler  of  the  Universe  made  the  appoint- 
ment, not  by  a  mere  arbitrary  exercise  of  authority,  but  for  our 
good ;  and,  whatever  difference  of  opinion  may  exist  in  respect 
to  the  proper  day  to  be  observed,  almost  all  agree  that  one  day 
in  seven  should  be  devoted  to  religious  exercises.  That  being 
admitted,  can  any  thing  be  more  reasonable  than  the  request  of 
the  petitioners,  that  at  least  so  much  of  the  law  should  be  re- 
pealed as  requires  the  Postoffice  to  be  kept  open  every  day  of  the 
week  ?  Does  not  the  enactment  of  that  law  plainly  imply  that 
mankind  are  under  no  moral  obligation  to  refrain  from  secular 
labor  on  any  day  of  the  week  ?  Is  it  not  in  direct  opposition  to  the 
recetved  opinion  of  almost  all  professing  Christians  ?  It  is  to  that 
part  of  the  law,  more  particularly,  which  requires,  in  terms,  all 
the  Postmasters  throughout  the  United  States  to  deliver  letters, 
packets,  and  papers  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to  which  the  mi- 
nority of  your  committee  object;  and  which  is  most  offensive  to 
the  petitioners.  In  this  statute  is  at  once  seen  a  palpable  en- 
croachment on  the  rights  of  conscience.  It  either  drives  every 
man  who  feels  himself  morally  bound  to  observe  the  Sabbath  in 
a  religious  manner,  from  the  service  of  his  country,  and  equal 
participation  in  her  favors,  or  subjects  him  to  the  hard  terms  of 
remaining  in  office  at  the  expense  of  his  principles.  It  is  freely 
4 


38  THE    SABBATH. 

acknowledged  that  works  of  necessity  and  mere}'-  are  not  forbid- 
den ;  and  if  the  transportation  of  the  mail  on  Sunday  could  be 
justified  on  that  ground,  (which  is  not  admitted,)  it  cannot  be 
contended  that  the  keeping  open  offices  where  no  mail  arrives  on 
that  day,  is  the  work  of  necessity. 

"  The  arguments  which  have  been  urged  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  the  mail,  &c.  on  the  Sabbath,  are  mainly  derived  from 
commercial  convenience,  and  from  alleged  derangement  of  busi- 
ness and  intercourse.  This  doctrine  militates  against  the  first 
principles  of  good  morals.  If  these  are  important  at  all,  they 
are  paramount  to  the  claims  of  expediency ;  but  this  plea  makes 
them  subservient  to  the  pressure  of  worldly  business,  and  con- 
verts them  into  mere  questions  of  profit  and  loss. 

"  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  cannot  interfere  with  the  reli- 
gious feelings  or  consciences  of  any  portion  of  the  citizens,  be- 
cause they  ask  no  service  to  be  performed,  no  principle  to  be  pro- 
fessed. It  is  only  asked  that  certain  duties  be  not  required  on  a 
certain  day.  Were  it  imposing  any  service,  or  requiring  the 
profession  of  any  opinions,  those  whose  religious  sentiments 
were  different,  might  justly  complain.  But  he  who  conscien- 
tiously believes  that  he  is  bound  to  observe  the  seventh  day  of  the 
week,  in  a  religious  manner,  can  have  no  just  reason  to  complain, 
because  Government  takes  nothing  from  him  in  permitting  all 
classes  of  citizens  to  observe  the  first  day  of  the  week  as  a  day 
of  religious  rest.  The  case  would  be  quite  different,  did  the  pri- 
vilege of  resting  on  that  day,  impose  any  thing  on  any  class  of 
citizens  contrary  to  their  conscience. 

"  Therefore,  Resolved,  that  it  is  expedient  to  grant  the  prayer 
of  the  petitioners." 

(Signed)  "  Wm.  McCreery." 

In  order  to  place  before  the  reader  more  fully  the  arguments 
of  the  petitions  and  remonstrances  against  Sunday  mails,  a  few 
extracts  from  some  of  those  presented  in  1829,  will  now  be  sub- 
joined. 

From  Newark,  N.  /.,  Dec.  10th,  1829. 
*  *  "  That  your  memorialists  conscientiously,  believe  that  the 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  39 

people  of  these  United  States,  in  their  national  capacity  and 
character,  constitute  a  Christian  nation  ;  if  a  Christian  nation, 
then  our  Government  is  a  Christian  Government,  a  government 
formed  and  established  by  Christians,  and  therefore  bound  by  the 
word  of  God,  not  at  liberty  to  contravene  liis  laws,  nor  to  act  ir- 
respectively of  the  obligations  we  owe  to  him.  *  *  * 

"  Your  memorialists  do  not  ask  a  legislative  act,  or  any  gov- 
ernmental declaration  that  Sunday  shall  be  kept  holy  ;  they  only 
ask  that  the  existing  laws,  requiring  any  part  of  that  day  to  be 
appropriated  to  secular  business  in  the  Postoffice  Depart- 
ment, *  *  may  be  repealed." 

From  North  Carolma.    December,  1829. 

*  *  "  The  practice  of  thus  violating  one  of  the  express  com- 
mands of  God,  having  the  sanction  of  the  constituted  authorities 
of  the  Government,  assumes  a  national  character,  and  may  be 
justly  called  a  national  sin — the  awful  consequences  of  which 
are  so  often  detailed  in  the  sacred  volume.  *  * 

"  To  put  a  stop  to  this  practice  is  not  to  impose  restraint  on 
the  rights  of  any,  but  rather  to  remove  a  restraint  which  is 
grievous  to  many ;  it  is  to  give  liberty  to  all  to  enjoy  the  rest  and 
privileges  of  that  sacred  day ;  and  to  terminate  a  practice,  the 
example  of  which  your  memorialists  humbly  conceive  to  be  in- 
jurious to  the  morals  of  the  people.  *  * 

"  By  the  observance  or  profanation  of  the  Sabbath,  the  stan- 
dard of  morals  is  regulated  in  every  Christian  land  ;  and  in  pro- 
portion as  Christian  morals  prevail,  the  people  are  happy  and 
the-country  prosperous ;  and  if  the  bond  of  union,  which  holds 
our  beloved  country  together,  is  ever  dissolved,  (which  may 
Heaven  avert !)  it  will  be  by  first  throwmg  off  all  religious  and 
moral  restraints.  *  *  No  nation  has  ever  suffered  by  cherishing 
the  spirit  of  Christ ;  but  many  have  been  ruined  by  giving  place 
to  a  contrary  spirit.  *  *  It  would  be  too  much  to  say  (and  it  is 
now  too  late  to  say  it)  that  there  shall  be  no  legislative  sanc- 
tions to  enforce  the  laws  of  God ;  the  statute  book  of  the  nation 
furnishes  too  many  instances  of  such  sanctions,  now  to  call  in 
question  the  right.  And  if,  in  copying  the  laws  of  God,  your 
honorable  body  can  say  (without  approaching  the  awful  whirl- 


40  THE   SABBATH. 

pool  of  church  and  state)  that  murder  is  a  crime,  and  shall  be 
punished  with  death,  where,  your  memorialists  would  respect- 
fully ask,  is  the  danger  in  saying,  after  the  same  example,  that 
the  violation  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  a  sin,  and  ought  not  to 
be  countenanced  ?  But,  in  truth,  the  subject  matter  of  this  me- 
morial does  not  involve  the  question  of  Church  and  State,  but  of 
morality  and  State.  And  in  such  an  union  as  the  latter,  all  *  * 
would  have  much  cause  to  rejoice." 

From  the  County  of  Williamson  and  others^  Tenn, 

"  We  usurp  powers  of  the  General  Government  to  disturb  the 
Sabbath's  rest,  which  the  States  have  never  granted ;  and  we 
interfere  with  their  constant  use  of  powers,  to  protect  its  rest, 
which  they  have  reserved  to  themselves.  We  brand  our  nation 
with  a  dishonorable  inconsistency ;  virtually  declaring,  it  is  from 
no  regard  to  the  authority  of  the  Most  High,  that  we  suspend, 
on  the  Sabbath,  our  legislative  and  judicial  business.  *  *  We 
entice  thousands  of  our  citizens  from  their  duty  to  God,  to  their 
families,  to  society,  and  their  own  souls,  on  the  Sabbath,  to  work 
for  unlawful  gain :  or  to  amuse  themselves  and  their  acquaint- 
ances with  the  news  just  brought  from  a  distance  by  the  Sab- 
bath mail.  We  assume  jurisdiction  over  religious  concerns  in 
opposition  to  the  genius  of  our  free  and  tolerant  constitution,  and 
to  our  own  profession ;  and,  under  the  plea  of  avoiding  a  reli- 
gious establishment,  which  no  man  asks  for,  and  which  the 
truly  religious  would  most  deplore,  we  make  an  irreligious  es- 
tablishment, against  the  authority  and  observance  of  the  whole 
decalogue  ;  for,  to  oJBTend  deliberately,  in  one  point,  is  to  be 
guilty  of  all.  Thus  we  spread  a  disastrous  influence  over  our 
numerous  population  throughout  the  whole  land ;  we  entail  a 
bitter  experience  of  its  direful  effects  upon  the  next  generation  ; 
and  tempt  the  God  of  the  Sabbath  to  send  down  his  fearful 
judgments  upon  our  rising  nation,  without  delay  and  without 
cessation. 

"  In  doing  all  this,  we  sin  against  light.  Neither  the  people 
in  general,  nor  those  who  represent  them,  are  at  liberty  to  plead 
ignorance.  We  all  know,  or  may  know,  that  the  decalogue  is 
the  permanent  moral  law  of  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  nations  in 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  41 

his  uncontrollable  government  over  us  ;  that  the  four  command- 
ments which  point  out  our  duty  to  God,  lie  at  the  foundation  of 
the  six  which  point  out  our  duty  to  men ;  that  the  fourth,  which 
requires  our  keeping  holy  to  the  Lord  one  day  in  seven,  is  as 
sacred  and  perpetual  as  any  of  the  ten.  *  *  *  *=  On  its  faithful 
observance,  in  every  community  favored  with  it,  depends  the 
prospect  that  the  people  will  understand,  love,  and  obey  the 
other  precepts  of  the  decalogue ;  or  that  they  will  ever  be  re- 
strained from  the  most  lawless  and  destructive  immorality. 

"  In  the  infinite  benignity  of  the  Deity,  the  Sabbath  was  made 
for  man — all  mankind.  It  consults  their  best  interests  for  time 
and  eternity.  It  communicates  their  most  important  informa- 
tion. It  origmates  and  cherishes  their  best  affections.  It  im- 
parts the  happiest  direction  to  their  moral  conduct  in  all  the  re- 
lations of  public  and  private  life.  It  supplies  the  only  adequate 
cement  to  human  society.  It  controls  the  wicked,  and  protects 
the  good.  It  is  the  anchor  of  the  nation's  safety  and  prosperity. 
Loose  its  moorings,  and  you  involve  millions  in  the  consequent 
shipwreck.  While  God  visits  our  world  in  mercy,  it  will  be  a 
sign  and  a  witness  between  him  and  men,  how  they  feel  and 
conduct  towards  each  other.  Sanctified  by  any  people  to  its 
proper  use,  it  will  bring  upon  them  a  blessing  in  its  train ;  or 
profaned,  a  curse ;  and  such  a  blessing,  or  such  a  curse,  as  shall 
comport  with  the  majesty  of  its  Almighty  Lord,  and  the  impor- 
tance he  attaches  to  this  signal  institution.  The  united  testi- 
mony of  prophecy,  history,  and  observation,  confirm  this  antici- 
pation. 

"  Hence  it  is  manifest,  that,  by  the  transportation  of  the  mail 
and  the  opening  of  the  Postoffices,  by  law,  on  the  Sabbath,  we 
make  an  incalculable  sacrifice  of  principle,  character,  blessing, 
and  prospect ;  while  we  are  supported  by  no  plea  of  necessity 
or  mercy  ;  or  by  no  better  than  that  of  mere  temporal  conve- 
nience and  worldly  gain." 

From  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

"  Your  memorialists  cannot  but  think  that  the  enactment  of 
which  they  pray  an  appeal  is  a  virtual  infraction  of  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States ;  and  they  ask  no  more  than  a  resto- 

4* 


42  THE    SABBATH. 

ration  of  its  integrity.  *  *  *  *  A  religious,  or  rather  an  irreli- 
gious test,  appears  to  your  memorialists  to  be  in  this  case  imposed, 
and  equal  rights  to  be  plainly  and  injuriously  denied  to  a  large 
portion  of  the  community.  *  * 

"  Now  we  believe  that  nearly  all,  if  not  the  whole,  of  the 
confederating  States,  at  the  time  they  adopted  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution, had  laws  in  existence,  and  which  still  exist,  explicitly 
prohibiting  such  acts  as  constantly  take  place  in  the  conveyance 
of  the  mail,  and  the  transaction  of  business  at  the  Postoffices  on 
Sunday ;  nor  has  the  power  of  repealing  these  laws  ever  been 
surrendered  to  the  Federal  Legislature.  Yet  they  are  in  effect 
repealed  ;  for  they  are  completely  set  aside  by  that  part  of  the 
Postoffice  law  to  which  your  memorialists  refer.  The  example, 
moreover,  which  is  every  week  exhibited  of  a  total  disregard  to 
the  day  of  sacred  rest,  in  the  traveling  of  the  mail  under  the 
countenance  of  a  national  act,  is  of  more  pernicious  influence 
than  can  easily  be  set  forth.  It  renders  impracticable  the  effect- 
ual execution  of  any  of  the  State  laws,  by  which  a  due  observ- 
ance of  the  Lord's  day  is  enjoined  ;  so  that  the  utter  disregard 
and  desecration  of  that  day,  seems  likely  soon  to  ensue,  if  the 
example  which  has  been,  and  still  is,  a  principal  cause  of  the 
evil  shall  not  be  withdrawn.  *  * 

"  And  why,  let  your  memorialists  be  permitted  to  ask,  should 
the  numerous  individuals  employed  in  the  Postoffice  Depart- 
ment, be  deprived,  as  they  are,  of  the  rest  and  the  other  privi- 
leges, which  their  fellow  citizens  of  all  descriptions  enjoy,  by  the 
suspension  of  their  ordinary  engagements  for  one  day  in  seven  1 
No  necessity  or  efficient  cause  for  this  peculiarity,  your  memo- 
rialists are  persuaded,  can  be  assigned,  even  if  the  paramount 
consideration  of  the  sacredness  of  the  day  should  be  left  out  of 
view.  *  * 

"  Finally,  your  memorialists  are  under  the  solenrn  conviction, 
that  the  preservation  of  all  our  free  institutions,  in  their  purity 
and  integrity,  if  not  in  their  very  existence,  is  deeply  involved  in 
this  subject.  No  maxim  in  politics  is  better  established,  than 
that  virtue  and  good  morals  are  the  only  basis  on  which  a  free 
government  can  permanently  rest ;  and  no  truth  is  more  clear 
or  important,  than  that  which  was  inculcated  in  the  farewell 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  43 

address  of  the  Father  of  his  country — that  morality  cannot  be 
preserved  without  religion ;  and  to  this  it  may  with  truth  as 
unquestionably,  be  added,  that  without  a  Sabbath,  a  day  of  sa- 
cred rest,  religion  cannot  be  maintained  in  an  extensive  commu- 
nity. Do  we  then  ask  that  Congress  should  interpose  to  main- 
tain it  ?  No  ;  we  repeat  that  we  only  ask  that  Congress  may 
not  permit  the  law  of  the  United  States  to  destroy  it.  We  en- 
treat that  the  law  of  our  countr)'-  may  not  be  permitted  to  \m- 
dermine  and  prostrate  the  palladium  of  its  freedom." 

From  Kentucky. 

"  It  is  sufficient  for  the  purpose  of  your  memorialists,  that  the 
fact  exists  of  abstinence  from  labor  on  the  Sabbath  in  all  coun- 
tries, where  Christianity  or  civilization  has  prevailed ;  and  that 
the  da)-  has  been  recognized  and  respected  in  every  Government 
in  such  countries ;  and  almost  every  code  of  human  laws  there 
adopted  has  acknowledged  the  sanctity  of  the  day.  The  example 
of  the  Government,  whose  organs  we  address,  can  be  quoted  on 
this  subject.  Congress  ceases  from  their  deliberations,  Courts 
adjourn,  and  the  President  and  all  the  Executive  Departments 
close  their  offices  on  that  day,  except  that  portion  of  executive 
power  placed  under  the  Postmaster-General,  which,  contrary  to 
the  general  rule,  is  on  that  day  in  busy  operation.  To  open  all 
these  offices,  and  to  set  all  these  departments  to  the  exercise  of 
their  duties  on  the  Sabbath,  would  be  resisted  by  the  sense  of 
the  American  people ;  and  your  memorialists  cannot  see  that 
the  exception  alluded  to,  as  practised,  is  any  better  in  principle 
than  such  conjoint  labor  would  be  in  every  Department. 

-"Your  memorialists  protest  against  the  States  supporting, 
aiding,  or  being  united  to  the  Church ;  and  they  also  protest 
against  the  civil  power  being  used  to  trample  down  or  persecute 
the  Church,  or  to  weaken  and  destroy  one  church  duty.  *  * 
We  know  Congress  cannot,  and  ought  not,  to  enforce  the  duties 
of  the  Sabbath.  We  ask  them  not  to  do  this ;  but  we  ask  them 
to  keep  their  hands  from  pulling  down,  destroying,  and  disre- 
garding a  day,  the  duties  of  which  are  established  by  another, 
and  infinitely  superior  power.  It  is  no  act  of  positive  legisla- 
tion in  favor  of  the  Sabbath,  or  any  other  religious  duty,  that  we 


44  THE   SABBATH. 

solicit.  We  ask  the  National  Legislature  to  act  negatively ;  to 
retire  from  the  controversy,  and  to  repeal  a  law  which  has  vio- 
lated what  is  admitted  by  Christians  to  be  a  religious  duty.  *  * 

"  Other  countries  in  Christendom  respect  the  day,  even  with 
their  mail  intercourse  ;  and  we  regret  that  our  own  Government 
is,  in  this  respect,  almost  a  solitary  exception  to  the  practice  of 
suspension  of  Sabbath  labor.  *  *  In  almost  all,  if  not  every 
State  code,  the  Sabbath  is  recognized,  and  penalties  inflicted  on 
its  breach.  *  * 

"  Now  your  memorialists  would  urge  the  impropriety  of  Con- 
gress expressly  authorizing  acts  to  be  done  on  the  Sabbath, 
which  violate  all  these  State  codes.  Can  Congress,  by  one  or 
two  sentences,  in  regulating  her  Postoffice  Department,  virtually 
repeal  and  annul  all  these  State  laws  ?  If  they  come  into  col- 
lision, which  is  to  yield  ?  If  the  State  officer,  in  execution  of  a 
State  law,  stops  the  mail,  which  is  forbidden  by  that  law  to 
travel  on  the  State  soil,  will  the  discretion  vested  by  act  of  Con- 
gress in  the  Postmaster-General,  to  direct  mails  to  travel  at  all 
hours,  protect  the  traveler,  annul  the  State  law,  and  paralyze  the 
power  of  the  prosecuting  officer?"  *  * 

From  Alexandria,  D.  C. 

"  Your  memorialists  regard  the  institution  of  the  Sabbath  as 
one  of  the  most  striking  proofs  of  Divine  beneficence ;  and  as 
affording  the  only  adequate  means  for  preserving  the  fear  of 
God,  the  sanctity  of  oaths,  genuine  personal  integrity,  and  pub- 
lic morals;  and  our  civil  and  political  principles.  *  * 

"  The  friends  of  religion  and  virtue  have  witnessed  the  in- 
crease of  immorality  with  deep  regret  and  solicitude ;  and  they 
are  constrained  to  believe  that  it  is  in  A^ain  for  the  friends  of 
good  order  to  attempt  to  protect  this  holy  day  from  profanation, 
while  the  Government  allows  the  mails  to  be  carried  on  Sundays, 
and  requires  Postmasters  to  deliver  letters,  papers,  and  packets, 
'  on  every  day  of  the  week.'  We  feel  that  we  have  a  right  to 
look  for  example  to  the  Government  of  that  people  who  have 
often  called  themselves  the  most  virtuous  people  on  earth ;  to 
hope  that  those  whom  they  have  clothed  with  power,  will  not 
longer  permit  a  practice  which  is  continually  undermining  the 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  45 

morals,  and  consequently  endangering  the  liberties  of  the  na- 
tion. 

"  Your  memorialists  can  look  upon  a  disregard  of  the  Sabbath 
in  no  other  light  than  as  the  first  step  on  the  road  to  crime  ;  and 
they  believe  with  that  distinguished  commentator,  Judge  Black- 
^  stone,  that  the  profanation  of  that  day  is  an  offence  against  God 
and  religion.  The  records  of  the  criminal  courts  of  all  nations 
will  show  that  a  disregard  of  the  Sabbath  and  its  sacred  duties 
has  been  the  commencement  of  a  departure  from  those  princi- 
ples which  are  the  best  protection  against  crime.  Moral  de- 
linquency, in  any  country,  increases  in  a  ratio  with  the  profana- 
tion of  the  Sabbath.  It  has  been  said  by  the  advocates  of 
transporting  the  mail  and  opening  it  on  Sunday,  if  this  was  not 
done,  it  would  be  violated  by  individuals  hiring  and  sending  ex- 
presses. This  may  be  done,  *  *  yet,  will  the  violation  of  the 
Sabbath  by  individuals,  excuse  the  Government  of  a  people,  who 
call  themselves  Christians,  for  giving  sanction  by  their  laws  and 
practice  to  the  profanation  of  a  day  set  apart  by  the  positive 
command  of  God  for  holy  duties  ?  With  as  much  propriety 
might  the  Government  excuse  the  passage  of  laws  authorizing 
the  violation  of  each  of  the  other  commandments,  by  pleading 
the  practice  of  individuals.  *  * 

"  We  do  not  solicit  you  to  put  a  stop  by  public  laws  to  private 
sins ;  but,  by  example,  to  arrest  a  great  national  sin,  founded  in 
a  practice  sanctioned  and  commanded  by  the  Government,  which 
practice  is  in  opposition  to  the  best  interests  of  our  country ;  to 
the  laws  of  a  holy  and  merciful  God;  to  the  rights  of  the  reli- 
gious portion  of  the  community ;  and  even  to  the  rights  of  the 
brute  creation." 

From  Augusta^  Maine. 

"  Let  the  Christian  Sabbath  cease  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of 
rest  from  secular  labors,  and  of  devotion  to  the  offices  of  religion, 
and  the  influence  of  religious  principle  would  soon  be  at  an  end. 
But  public  sentiment  in  favor  of  the  Sabbath  must  be  sustained 
and  strengthened  by  the  manifestation  of  respect  for  it,  in  the 
official  acts  of  the  Government.  *  * 

"  But  it  has  been  alleged,  that  if  the  transportation  of  the  mail, 


46  THE    SABBATH. 

and  the  opening  of  the  Postoffices,  on  the  Sabbath,  should  cease, 
it  would  occasion  an  interruption  of  public  and  private  business ; 
productive  of  evils  which  no  justly-to-be-anticipated  good  can 
countervail.  To  this  objection  we  reply,  that  if  it  had  been 
usual  to  hold  courts  of  justice  and  to  transact  legislative  business 
on  the  Sabbath,  it  would  be  deemed  a  great  detriment  to  the 
public  and  private  interests  to  suspend  their  proceedings  on  that 
day ;  and  arguments  of  as  much  weight  might  have  been  urged, 
and  with  equal  confidence  and  zeal,  as  are  now  offered  against 
the  prayer  of  our  petition.  But  will  it  be  insisted,  that  suspen- 
sion of  business  in  those  instances  should  not  have  occurred,  and 
ought  not  to  be  sanctioned?  Is  not  the  reason  of  the  thing  as 
strong  and  conclusive  in  the  one  case  as  in  the  other  ?  *  * 

"  We  deeply  feel,  that  it  is  an  object  of  the  greatest  import  to 
propitiate  the  favor  and  blessing  of  Him,  whose  smiles  give 
prosperity  to  every  enterprise,  and  whose  frown  rendereth  abor- 
tive every  purpose." 

From  Boston^  Mass. 

"That  your  memorialists,  in  common  with  multitudes  of 
their  fellow  citizens  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  regard  the 
observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  as  pre-eminently  conducive 
to  the  prevalence  of  good  morals,  intelligence,  and  happiness ; 
as  tending  to  secure  and  perpetuate  all  the  blessings  of  a  free 
Government,  and  as  incomparably  the  best  and  most  powerful 
means  of  preserving  good  order  in  the  community,  and  of  pro- 
motmg  the  public  prosperity.  On  the  other  hand,  they  consider 
the  desecration  of  the  Sabbath  as  a  great  evil,  which,  if  it 
should  become  universal,  or  nearly  so,  would  be  followed  by 
general  ignorance,  licentiousness  and  vice;  and  in  such  a  state 
of  things,  it  v/ould  be  impossible  to  sustain  our  republican  insti- 
tutions, or  those  religious  privileges,  which  are  more  valuable 
than  life  itself. 

"  Your  memorialists  cannot  but  lament,  that  any  thing  should 
be  done  by  the  authority  of  the  General  Government,  which 
tends  to  diminish  the  sanctity  of  a  divine  institution,  or  to  weak- 
en the  bands  of  public  morality.  They  respectfully  and  earnest- 
ly request,  therefore,  that  so  much  of  the  Postofhce  law  as  re- 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  47 

quires  Postoffices  to  be  kept  open  on  the  Sabbath,  may  be  re- 
pealed ;  and  that  the  laws  of  the  several  States  now  m  existence 
for  the  protection  of  the  Sabbath,  may  not  be  violated  by  the 
Postoffice  establishment,  nor  by  any  branch  of  the  public  service. 

"Your  memorialists  *  *  complain  that  the  present  law, 
which  requires  PostofRces  to  be  kept  open  on  the  Sabbath,  is, 
as  they  conceive,  unconstitutional.  Of  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  it  is  a  fundamental  principle,  that  powers  not 
given  to  the  General  Government,  either  expressly  or  by  fair  im- 
plication, cannot  be  exercised  by  that  Government.  But  no 
power  is  thus  given  to  the  General  Government  to  encroach 
upon  the  religious  privileges  of  the  people.  From  the  first  set- 
tlement of  this  country,  the  privilege  of  keeping  the  Sabbath 
without  interruption  has  been  esteemed  most  valuable,  and 
would  not,  at  any  time,  have  been  voluntarily  surrendered.  *  * 

"  Should  it  be  said,  that  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  and 
the  keeping  open  of  the  Postoffices  on  the  Sabbath,  are  works 
of  necessity,  the  assertion  is  sufficiently  refuted  by  these  facts, 
viz :  that,  during  a  great  part  of  the  period  of  our  national  ex- 
istence, the  mail  has  not  been  transported,  and  Postoffices  have 
not  been  kept  open  on  the  Sabbath ;  that  many  of  our  most  en- 
terprising merchants  habitually  refiise  to  take  their  letters  from 
the  office  on  that  day ;  and  that  in  the  greatest  commercial  em- 
porium in  the  world,  the  Postoffice  is  not  opened,  nor  is  any 
mail  made  up  or  received  there  on  the  Sabbath.  There  is  sup- 
posed to  be  five  times  as  much  commercial  intercourse  between 
London  and  Liverpool,  as  between  New  York  and  Philadelphia ; 
and  yet  no  mail  leaves  London  for  Liverpool  between  Saturday 
evening  and  Monday  evening.  *  * 

"  If  Congress  has  power  to  make  the  servants  of  the  public 
labor  on  the  Sabbath  in  one  Department,  it  has  equal  power  in 
all  other  Departments.  But  would  it  be  tolerated  m  this  Chris- 
tian community,  that  courts  of  justice  and  custom-houses  should 
be  open  on  the  Sabbath,  and  that  all  public  offices  under  the 
General  Government  should  be  held  by  men  who  have  no  regard 
to  that  day,  in  exclusion  of  all  who  reverence  the  sanctuary, 
and  remember  the  Sabbath  to  keep  it  holy?    Is  a  conscien- 


48  THE    SABBATH. 

tious  attachment  to  religious  observances  a  disqualification  for 
office  ?  *  * 

"  The  proper  management  of  the  Postoffice  requires  the 
agency  of  men  of  integrity ;  and  it  cannot  be  good  policy  to 
lessen  any  of  the  sanctions  by  which  honesty  and  fidelity  are 
preserved. 

"  The  transaction  of  public  business  by  the  transportation  and 
opening  of  the  mails  tends  constantly  and  powerfully  to  increase 
the  number  of  those  who  do  not  observe  the  Sabbath,  and  ulti- 
mately to  destroy  the  public  influence  of  that  divine  institution 
altogether. 

*  *  "If  these  habits  and  practices  should  continue  to  increase, 
nothing  can  be  clearer  than  that  the  restraints  of  religion  will  be 
removed  from  the  community  at  large,  and  either  cease  to  exist, 
or  be  consigned  to  a  comparatively  small  number  of  retired  and 
obscure  mdividuals. 

"  No  legislator  should  be  ignorant  that  those  members  of  the 
community  who  utterly  disregard  the  Sabbath,  are  soon  brought 
to  make  it  a  day  of  dissipation  and  riot ;  and  those  who  have 
thus  desecrated  the  day  for  any  considerable  time,  are  prepared 
for  the  grossest  vices  and  the  most  disgraceful  crimes.  Who 
does  not  know,  that  the  perpetration  of  fraud,  theft,  arson,  burg- 
lary, robbery,  and  murder,  has  become  frequent  in  most  parts 
of  the  United  States  ?  Who  does  not  know,  that  these  crimes 
are  perpetrated,  almost  exclusively,  by  persons  who  have  long 
been  in  the  habit  of  violating  the  Sabbath  ?  In  one  of  our  state 
prisons,  containing  five  or  six  hundred  convicts,  particular  in- 
quiry was  made  on  this  subject.  The  history  of  one  convict  was 
the  history  of  all.  They  had  never  observed  a  Sabbath,  or  had 
ceased  to  observe  it  before  they  committed  the  crimes  for  which 
they  were  suffering  the  vengeance  of  the  laws. 

"  The  system  of  Government,  then,  which  tends  to  increase 
the  number  of  Sabbath-breakers,  tends  to  fill  our  state  prisons 
with  felons,  and  our  streets  with  the  cry  of  violence ;  and  to 
stain  our  land  with  blood.  Here  is  no  mistake ;  there  can  be 
none;  and  the  more  this  subject  is  examined,  the  more  irresisti- 
bly will  it  appear,  that  those  who  would  promote  the  observ- 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  49 

ance  of  the  Sabbath,  by  removing  temptations  to  violate  it,  are 
the  true  benefactors  of  their  country.  *  * 

"  But  your  memorialists  conceive,  that,  while  the  General 
G-overnment  can  make  no  law  for  the  support  of  religion,  it  is 
equally  true,  that  the  General  Government  ought  not  to  make  a 
law,  the  tendency  of  which  shall  be  the  destruction  of  both  reli- 
gion and  morality.  On  this  ground  the  present  memorial  is  offered. 
The  existing  Postoffice  law  violates  religious  obligations;  and, 
so  far  as  it  has  this  effect,  it  ought  to  be  repealed." 

The  foregoing  extracts  of  Petitions,  Memorials,  Remon- 
strances, and  Reports,  are  copied  from  "  The  American  State 
Papers,  Class  VII.  Post  Office  Department." 

The  reader  would  be  abundantly  rewarded  by  an  examination 
of  all  the  petitions  and  memorials  which  have  been  presented  on 
this  subject.  A  few  more  of  them  may  be  found  in  the  book 
from  which  the  above  extracts  were  taken  ;  and  others,  proba- 
bly among  the  archives  of  the  nation. 

Further  extracts  from  petitions  and  remonstrances,  on  the 
same  subject,  and  presented  at  the  same  time,  quoted  from  a 
small  Tract  published  in  New  York,  1829,  giving  "  An  account 
of  Memorials  to  Congress,"  &c.,  will  now  be  added.  This  Tract 
gives  an  account  of  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty  distinct  pe- 
titions, from  more  than  twenty  different  states ;  to  which  are 
affixed  the  names  of  many  of  the  most  distinguished  men  in  the 
nation,  as  may  be  seen  by  referring  to  that  work. 

From  Leroy^  N.   Y. 

"  Your  petitioners  have  observed,  with  deep  regret,  that  the 
more  we  are  prospered  as  a  nation,  under  the  smiles  of  a  benign 
Providence,  the  more  are  the  precepts  of  our  Lord  and  vSavior, 
and  the  authority  of  the  God  of  our  fathers,  openly  violated ; 
until,  as  we  have  every  reason  to  fear,  from  the  pinnacle  of  pros- 
perity and  glory,  to  which  the  God  of  heaven  hath  exalted  our 
beloved  country,  we  shall,  by  our  public  and  national  sins,  be 
precipitated  to  the  abyss  of  irreligion  and  ruin." 


50  THE  SABBATH. 

From  Columbia  County^  Geo. 

"  The  undersigned  do  earnestly  solicit  your  honorable  body  to 
devise  such  measures,  that  the  transportation  of  the  mail^  and 
the  opening  thereof,  and  the  delivery  of  letters.,  may  no  longer 
be  required  on  the  Sabbath." 

From  Greensburg,  Beaver  County,  Penn. 

"  We  do  not  ask  you  to  put  a  stop  to  the  iniquities  prevailing 
in  private  life ;  but  to  reform  those  national  evils.,  that  are  in 
opposition  to  the  best  interests  of  our  country,  the  law  of  a  holy 
and  merciful  God,  to  the  rights  of  religious  men,  and  even  to 
the  rights  of  the  brute  creation." 

From  Rockingham  County,  N.  C. 

"  The  undersigned  do  view  the  practice  of  the  Postoffice  es- 
tablishment, relating  to  the  conveyance  of  the  mails  on  the  Sab- 
bath, as  a  grievance,  which  we  think  to  be  contrary  to  the  laws 
of  Sacred  Writ,  as  well  as  contrary  to  the  intent  and  meaning  of 
the  laws  of  the  United  States :  We  therefore  solicit  most  hum- 
bly of  the  honorable  Ccmgress  a  redress  of  the  aforesaid  griev- 
ance.'^ 

From  William  E.  Charming  and  others,  Boston. 

"  This  application,  we  trust,  will  not  be  misunderstood.  We 
do  not  ask  Congress  to  enforce  any  season,  or  form,  of  public  wor- 
ship. We  should  deprecate,  as  among  the  greatest  evils,  any 
legislation  mtended  to  favor  the  views  of  a  sect,  or  to  establish  a 
particular  faith.  We  only  pray,  that  Congress  may  not  counter- 
act, by  its  measures,  those  institutions  which  are  cherished  by 
the  community,  as  the  means  of  public  and  private  virtue." 

From  Albion,  Maine. 
"  Your  memorialists  must  confess,  that  they  have  a  personal 
interest  in  the  subject  to  which  they  arc  soliciting  the  attention 
of  Congress.  They  not  only  wish  to  preserve  their  families  and 
friends  from  the  contagion  of  a  bad  example,  and  of  an  allowed, 
customary  disregard  and  contempt  of  an  invaluable  institution ; 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  51 

but  they  are  also  persuaded,  that  for  national  deviations  from 
right,  emanating  from  the  Government,  a  present  national  retri- 
butioyi  is  to  be  apprehended,  inasmuch  as  the  future  reckoning  is 
for  individuals,  and  not  for  states;  and  such  public  retributory 
judgment  must  fall  upon  the  people^  and  must  he  home  by  your 
memorialists  in  common  with  others." 

From  Rowan  County^  N.  C. 
"  Your  memorialists  consider  the  practice  of  transporting  and 
opening  the  mail  on  the  Sabbath,  contrary"  to  the  fourth 
coMMAKD  IN  THE  DECALOGUE ;  and  that  the  continuance  and  in- 
crease of  our  happiness  depend  on  our  obedience  to  the  laws  of 
God:' 

From  Trenton,  N.  J. 

"  The  practice  of  opening  the  Postoffice  of  the  United  States, 
on  the  Sabbath  day,  is,  in  the  opinion  of  your  memorialists,  a  vio- 
lation of  the  Divine  com?nandment,  injurious  in  its  effects  on  the 
public  morals,  and  unsupported  by  any  plea  of  public  necessity 
or  convenience ;  while  it  gives  just  offence  to  the  principles  and 
feelings  of  the  Christian  community." 

From  Jersey  City. 
"  The  memorialists  do  not  think  it  will  be  expected  of  them 
to  reply  at  length  to  the  arguments  used  in  defence  of  transport- 
ing and  opening  mails  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  delivery  of  letters 
and  newspapers  at  Postoffices  ;  as  the  honorable  bodies  addressed 
Mdll  at  once  perceive,  that  an  entire  suspension  of  secular  busi- 
ness -on  that  day  would  operate  impartially  on  the  whole  com- 
munity ;  that  experience  demonstrates  that  the  rest  of  one  day 
in  seven  conduces  alike  to  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  business  and 
to  a  healthy  moral  tone ;  and  that  the  whole  array  of  arguments 
in  favor  of  breaking  the  Sabbath  is  answered  by  the  solemn 
truth,  that  the  violations  of  this  holy  day  are  contrary  to  the  laws 
of  God,  and  detrimental  to  the  physical,  civil,  and  moral  good  of 
the  people." 

Many  petitions,  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  were  couched  in 
the  same  languasre. 


52  THE  SABBATH- 

From  Salem,  Mass. 
"  Believing,  as  your  petitioners  do,  that  the  practice  above- 
mentioned  is  a  direct  infringe7nent  of  the  Divine  law,  and  its  ex- 
istence is  inconsistent  with  the  character,  and  a  reproach  to  the 
name  of  a  Christian  people;  that  its  tendency  is  to  subvert  the 
institutions  of  religion,  by  lessening  that  respect  for  themvp^hich 
ought  ever  to  be  felt  and  inculcated ;  that  it  exerts  a  pernicious 
and  demoralizing  mfluence  upon  the  community  at  large,  by 
encouraging,  and,  in  effect,  inviting  their  attention  to  secular 
concerns  on  the  Sabbath,  to  the  neglect,  and  even  the  exclusion 
of  the  appropriate  duties  of  the  day ;  that,  as  an  open  violation 
of  an  express  command  of  the  Suprebie  Lawgiver,  it  must  be 
offensive  in  his  sight,  and  may  lead  to  such  a  general  deprava- 
tion of  manners,  as  to  cause  him  to  withdraw  from  us  that 
abounding  goodness  and  favor  which  he  has  hitherto  vouchsafed 
to  us  as  a  nation ;  and  that,  from  all  these  considerations,  it  calls 
loudly  for  correction  and  redress  ; — they  repeat  their  most 
earnest  and  respectful  request,"  &c. 

This  form  of  petition  also  was  much  used. 

From  Spartanhurgh  District,  S.  C. 

"  While  the  arm  of  Jehovah  is  lifted  for  our  defence,  no  ene- 
my can  subdue  us,  or  impair  our  rights.  But  if  the  supreme 
Legislature  of  this  Union,  by  their  act,  make  it  necessary  to 
violate  the  command  of  God,  his  justice  will  demand  that  ade- 
quate punishment  be  inflicted  on  our  common  country.  His 
own  laAV  He  will  magnify  and  make  honorable,  by  inflicting  the 
sanction,  or  honoring  those  who  honor  it." 

From  Rockbridge  County,  Va. 
"  Our  opinion  is  based,  not  only  on  the  firm  belief  that  God 
claims  that  day  for  his  service,  but  on  a  firm  belief,  that  every 
nation,  which  generally  profanes  that  holy  day  by  neglecting  to 
keep  it,  does  bring  upon  itself  heavy  judgments." 

From  Hanover  County,  Va. 
"  Being  fully  convinced  that  the  blessing  of  God  will  be  con- 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  53 

ferred  oa  that  nation  which  obeys  his  laws,  and  that  punish- 
ment will  be  inflicted  on  the  disobedient,  we  have,  with  much 
concern,  seen  in  the  Postoffice  Department,  that  the  Sabbath,  a 
day  which  God  hath  commanded  to  be  kept  holy^  is  broken  and 
profaned," 

Frotn  Westmoreland  County^  Va. 

"  We  view  with  deep  regret  the  public  violation  of  the  Sab- 
bath, in  transporting  and  opening  the  mail  on  that  day.  We 
regard  the  command  to  keep  the  Sabbath  holy,  binding  upon  na- 
tions, as  well  as  individuals.  We  are  dependent  on  Divine  Pro- 
vidence as  a  nation,  and  cannot  expect  the  blessing  of  God, 
while  we  act  in  opposition  to  his  requirements." 

From  Newburyport,  Mass. 

"  But,  more  than  all,  by  these  means,  an  explicit  command  of 
God  is  violated,  and  the  authority  of  the  Lawgiver  set  at 
naught,  and  his  righteous  displeasure  incurred,  not  against  in- 
dividuals only,  who  are  the  immediate  transgressors,  but  also 
against  the  community  and  government,  which  authorizes  or 
suffers  such  wickedness." 

From  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y. 

"  With  a  few  unworthy  exceptions,  were  the  question  for  the 
observance  of  the  Sabbath  put  to  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  it  would  be  unanimously  carried  in  the  affirmative.  Why 
then  should  this  public  evil  of  which  we  complain,  which  tends  to 
destroy  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  and  to  disturb  those  who 
do  observe  it,  be  supported  by  Government  ?" 

From  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y. 

"  The  toleration,  or  rather  establishment,  by  the  law  of  the 
land,  of  this  work  and  labor  on  the  Sabbath,  has  long  been  de- 
plored by  a  vast  majority,  it  is  believed,  of  the  Christian  com- 
munity." 

Fro7n  the  City  of  Boston. 

"  As  a  people,  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States,  if  they 

5* 


54  THE   SABBATH. 

were  all  to  speak  their  minds,  would  demand  the  preservation  of 
the  Sabbath.  They  have  the  deepest  interest  in  demanding  it ; 
for  if  all  the  restraints  of  religion  were  removed,  our  national 
prosperity  and  our  political  freedom  would  soon  depart,  to  re- 
turn no  more.  But  what  could  not  be  done  directly,  and  at 
once,  may  be  done  gradually,  and  too  effectually,  if  the  Sabbath 
should  be  secularized." 

From  Philadelphia. 

"  That  the  recognition  of  the  Sabbath,  in  all  the  institutions 
of  the  country,  as  is  shown  in  the  usages  of  Congress  and  of  our 
courts  of  justice,  in  the  execution  of  the  laws,  &c.,  and  the  pecu- 
liar sanction  with  which  it  is  guarded  by  our  fitate  laws,  induce 
your  memorialists  to  hojpe  that  the  exception  to  the  general 
observance  of  a  day  of  rest,  which  is  found  in  the  PostofEce  De- 
partment, and  which  is  but  of  recent  practice,  will  receive  the 
attention  of  Congress." 

From  Bedford  County,  Tenn. 

"  We  rejoice  that  the  sacred  institutions  of  religion  are  so 
generally  respected  by  the  laws  of  our  highly  favored  country  ; 
yet  we  regret  that  the  Sabbath,  which  is  the  holy  of  the  Lord, 
and  honorable,  is,  by  the  authority  of  the  rulers  of  our  nation, 
violated  in  one  important  case ;  we  mean  the  mail  and  Post- 
office  Department. 

"  The  laws  of  our  happy  country,  (that  is,  the  laws  of  the 
several  States,)  say,  '  No  work  shall  he  done  on  the  Sabbath,  by 
persons  of  any  class,'' — yet  the  law  to  which  we  refer  says,  that 
'  carriers  of  mails,  postmasters,  and  clerks,  shall  work  on  that 
holy  day.' " 

From  John  Cotton  S7nith  and  others,  Conn. 

"  Your  petitioners  have  long  perceived,  with  the  deepest  re- 
gret, that  the  attempts  of  the  State  authorities  to  enforce  the 
due  observance  of  the  Sabbath  have  been  greatly  obstructed,  if 
not  defeated,  by  persons  acting  under  authority  derived  from 
the  Postoffice  Department.  If  the  General  Government  actually 
possesses  the  right  thus  practically  to  annul  a  salutary  law  of 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  55 

the  several  States,  and  one  which  is  founded  upon  the  Divine 
Command,  it  is  hoped,  that  at  least  a  spirit  of  comity  and  con- 
ciliation will  prevent  its  further  exercise. 

"  But  your  petitioners  presume,  that  no  such  right  is  claimed 
by  the  national  legislature,  believing,  as  they  do,  that  no  such 
right  exists.  Surely  no  express  authority  to  contravene  the  in- 
junction of  the  Supreme  Lawgiver  will  be  found  in  the  national 
charter ;  and  none  is  given  by  implication,  unless  we  admit  the 
preposterous  conclusion,  that  the  people  of  these  States,  so  highly 
distinguished  by  the  favor  of  the  Almighty,  have  intentionally 
sanctioned  the  violation  of  his  laws.  Persuaded,  as  your  peti- 
tioners are,  that  the  regulations  of  the  General  Postoffice,  re- 
quiring mails  to  be  transported  and  opened  on  the  Lord's  day,  is 
alike  unnecessary  and  unauthorized,  and  confiding  in  the  wisdom 
and  piety  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  Slates,  they  do  most 
respectfully  and  earnestly  entreat,  that  a  prompt  and  effectual 
remedy  may  be  provided  for  the  evil  of  which  they,  in  common 
with  all  the  reflecting  portion  of  our  fellow  citizens,  have  just 
reason  to  complain." 

From  Washington  County^  Pa. 

*  *  "If  these  things  are  true,  have  we  not  reason  to  depre- 
cate the  judgments  of  heaven  upon  our  nation,  because  of  the 
extent  to  which  this  offence  is  practiced,  under  the  pretence  of 
Postoffice  regulations,  which  are  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  the 
Supreme  Governor,  and  to  the  municipal  enactments  of  every 
State  in  the  Union. 

"Your  memorialists  would  respectfully  inquire,  upon  what 
pretext  is  the  law  of  God  thus  disregarded,  and  his  sovereignty 
thus  insulted  ?" 

From  Bedford,  West  Chester  County,  N.  Y. 

"  The  religious  freedom  secured  by  the  Constitution  to  every 
citizen,  is  infringed  by  a  law  that  offends  the  consciences  of 
multitudes,  and  exacts  from  Postmasters  and  others  services  for- 
bidden by  the  religion  which  most  of  them  profess." 


56  THE  SABBATH. 

From  the  City  of  Boston. 

"  We  rejoice  in  the  principles  of  universal  religious  toleration 
on  which  our  General  Government  is  founded  ;  and  we  would 
by  no  means  desire  that  Congress  should  ever  have  the  constitu- 
tional power  of  interfermg  in  matters  of  religion.  All  that  we 
request  is,  that  the  powers  of  the  Government^  given  for  good 
and  legitimate  objects,  should  not  be  used  to  weaken  the  influ- 
ence of  religion,  and  thus  deprive  us  oj  the  valuable  privileges 
transmitted  to  us  by  our  ancestors.^'' 

From  Bedford  County,  Tenn. 

"  We  humbly  conceive  these  things  ought  not  so  to  be,  and 
trust  that  while  we  as  a  nation  feel  ourselves  so  highly  indebt- 
ed to  the  Giver  of  all  good,  you,  in  your  wisdom,  will  say, 
'  Henceforward  there  shall  be,  in  the  mail  department,  no  in- 
fringement of  the  sacred  claims  of  the  day  of  God.'  " 

From  Winnsboro,  Fair-field  District,  S.  C. 

"  It  is  admitted  that  virtue  is  essential  to  the  existence  of  a 
free  government,  and  civil  mstitutions ;  that  dissipation  of  mo- 
rals, if  it  become  general,  would  soon  shake  the  foundation  o* 
our  national  edifice,  and  sweep  away  our  civil  privileges.  As 
the  Sabbath  is  the  grand  instrument  of  giving  tone  and  direction 
to  morals,  its  strict  observance  we  regard  as  all-important  to 
sustain  the  civil  liberties  of  our  country." 

From  the  Postmaster  at  Otter  Bridge,  Bedford  County,  Va., 
and  vicinity. 

"  Your  memorialists  would  beg  leave  to  suggest,  that  the  sta- 
bility and  prosperity  of  our  happy  government  depend,  in  a  great 
measure,  on  the  intelligence,  morality,  and  virtue  of  the  people  ; 
that  religion  exalteth  a  nation ;  that  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any 
people  ;  and  that  it  is  the  direct  way  to  call  down  the  vengeance 
of  heaven,  when  human  laws  are  made  to  violate  the  laws  of 
God." 


SUNDAY  MALLS.  57 

From  Win.  E.  Channmg  and  others,  Boston, 

"We  regard  the  institutions  of  religion  as  important  means 
of  promoting  that  piety  and  virtue,  on  which  the  security  of  our 
rights  and  liberties  chiefly  depends ;  and  we  cannot  but  hope, 
that  the  sanction  of  government  will  not  be  given  to  measures, 
which  threaten  to  impair  their  salutary  influence." 

From  the  City  of  Boston. 

"  Your  memorialists  would  respectfully  remind  your  honor- 
able bodies,  that  the  whole  current  of  history  and  observation  is 
in  favor  of  the  influence  of  the  Sabbath  upon  the  temporal  pros- 
perity of  communities  ;  that  wherever  this  day  has  been  conse- 
crated to  religious  instruction,  and  to  the  duties  of  public  and 
private  worship,  the  people  have  been  distinguished  for  industry, 
peaceable  habits,  and  especially  for  that  intelligence  and  per- 
sonal virtue,  that  sense  of  justice,  of  individual  rights,  and  of  the 
responsibility  of  rulers  and  private  men  to  the  Sovereign  Ruler 
of  all,  which  are  essential  to  the  existence  of  a  free  government.''^ 

From  Perry  County,  Ohio. 

"  Your  memorialists  represent,  that  the  proper  observance  of 
the  Sabbath,  is  no  less  a  matter  of  sound  policy,  than  of  true 
piety  ;  that  good  and  pious  men  are  scandalized  by  the  growing 
disregard  of  such  wise  observance ;  and  that  the  transportation 
and  opening  of  the  mails  on  that  day  have  a  direct  tendency  to 
destroy,  in  the  minds  of  men,  that  piety  and  morality,  so  neces- 
sary to  be  cherished  by  a  republican  people." 

Frojn  Atwater,  Portage  County,  Ohio. 

"  The  undersigned,  deeply  solicitous  for  the  welfare  of  our  be- 
loved country,  and  for  the  continued  enjoyment  and  higher  pos- 
session of  that  liberty,  which  constitutes  her  most  distinguished 
characteristic ;  and  fully  believing  that  an  encouragement  to  the 
due  observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath,  in  all  the  laws  of  our 
land,  is  essential  to  the  proper  security  of  her  liberties,  beg  leave 
to  present  the  following  memorial,  respectfully  and  earnestly 
soliciting  your  attention,  as  the  constituted  guardians  of  our  re- 


58  THE  SABBATH. 

public,  to  what  we  consider  an  evil,  tending  to  the  subversion 
oi  her  freedom,  her  interests,  and  her  happiness  ;  besides  operat- 
ing, in  some  measure  at  least,  as  a  present  infringement  upon 
the  liberties  of  a  portion  of  our  fellow  citizens." 

From  Ira  David,  Postmaster,  and  others,  Vi. 

"  The  observance  of  the  commandment  of  God  to  keep  holy 
the  Sabbath  day,  we  consider  as  necessary  to  national  as  to  in- 
dividual prosperity." 

From  Huntington  County,  Penn. 

"  We  believe  these  practices  [transporting  and  opening  the 
mail,]  to  be  injurious  to  the  morals  of  a  free  people,  and  danger- 
ous in  their  influence  on  the  civil  institutions  of  our  country  ; 
that,  in  a  Christian  land,  where  the  government  of  God  is  re- 
cognized, the  observance  of  this  day  should  be  held  sacred ;  and 
that  the  extensive  violation  of  it,  involves  the  destruction  of  civil 
liberty,  and  is  contrary  to  the  laws  of  God,  and  detrimental  to 
the  physical,  civil,  and  moral  good  of  the  people." 

From  Lisbon,  Conn. 

"  We  believe  morality  and  religion  to  be  essential  to  the  wel- 
fare of  our  republic ;  and  that  neither  of  them  can  remain  se- 
cure, without  a  due  observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath." 

From  Greensburgh,  Beaver  County,  Penn. 

"  The  good  sense  of  nations  has  taught  them,  that  the  re- 
straints imposed  by  religion  are  all  necessary  to  curb  the  pas- 
sions and  regulate  the  morals  of  society.  By  the  Sabbath  an 
opportunity  is  afforded  to  ministers  to  preach — to  the  people 
generally  to  hear  the  precepts  of  religion — and  all  to  worship 
God.  The  Sabbath  and  its  institutions  seem  to  be  appointed 
for,  and  admirably  adapted  to,  preparing  the  human  family  for 
a  future  state  of  being." 

From  Northumberland  County,  Penn. 

"  We  deem  the  Christian  Sabbath  a  blessing  to  mankind ; — 
a  most  effectual  purifier  of  the  public  morals,  enlightener  of  the 


SUNDAY  IVIAILS.  59 

public  mind,  guardian  of  the  public  safety,  and  promoter  of  pub- 
lic prosperity ;  that,  therefore,  its  due  observance,  according  to 
the  holy  Scriptures,  will  call  forth  Divine  favor  upon  the  nation, 
whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  its  profanation  must  be  followed  by 
expressions  of  Divine  wrath." 

From  the  City  of  New-York. 

*  #  »  "We  would  hope,  too,  that  the  members  of  our  govern- 
ment, by  their  conspicuous  example,  in  this  regard,  by  their 
cogent  arguments  in  the  halls  of  legislation,  and  by  their  mani- 
festation of  a  sacred  regard  for  the  Sabbath,  in  all  the  arrange- 
ments of  business  at  the  seat  of  government,  in  the  army  and 
the  navy,  in  all  the  public  offices,  and  upon  the  highways  of  our 
land,  will  exert  a  powerful  mfluence  in  checkmg  the  immoral- 
ities named,  and  in  protecting  an  institution  which  is  more  effi- 
cacious in  perpetuating  the  blessings  of  a  free  government^  than 
the  best  laws  ever  framed  by  the  wisdom  of  man." 

From  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

"  Your  memorialists  would  represent,  that  in  the  rest  from 
labor,  which  the  Sabbath  enjoins,  the  comfort  and  health  of  ma7i 
are  promoted  ;  and  by  the  devotion  of  a  set  time  to  the  contem- 
plation of  our  condition  as  moral  and  responsible  beings,  the  vir- 
tue and  intelligence  of  the  community  are  most  certainly  ad- 
vanced, and  thereby  the  prosperity  and  liberties  of  the  country 
are  secured." 

From  Merchants  of  the  City  of  Baltimore. 

*-^  Without  entering  at  all  into  the  imperative  nature  of  the 
obligation  which  requires  of  Christians  to  observe  this  day  as 
sacredly  set  apart  and  appropriated  to  religious  observances,  we 
may  urge,  in  favor  of  the  prayer  of  the  memorialists,  the  general 
usefulness  of  the  institution  ;  a  fact  attested  by  common  observ- 
ation, and  universally  admitted  by  persons  of  every  religious 
persuasion.  A  proper  observance  of  the  Sabbath  greatly  tends 
to  promote  and  strengthen  moral  habits,  and,  in  a  variety  of 
ways,  to  better  the  general  condition  of  society  ;  and,  unques- 


60  THE   SABBATH. 

tionably,  the  promotion  of  these  objects  is,  or  ought  to  be,  the 
great  end  of  human  legislation.^'' 

From  Washington  County^  Md. 

"  The  experience  of  individuals  proves,  that  it  is  their  true  in- 
terest to  obey  tlie  divine  precept,  and  rest  from  business  on  the 
Sabbath ;  and  we  are  fully  persuaded  that  the  national  welfare 
will  be  promoted  by  discontinuing  the  practice  of  transporting 
and  opening  mails,  and  delivering  letters,  on  that  day." 

From  the  City  of  Boston. 

"  Your  memorialists  regard  the  institution  of  the  Sabbath  as 
one  of  the  most  striking  proofs  of  the  divine  beneficence,  and  as 
affording  the  only  adequate  means  for  preserving  the  fear  of 
God,  the  sanctity  of  oaths,  genuine  personal  integrity,  the  public 
morals,  and  our  civil  and  political  privileges.  Though  there  are 
too  many  in  our  land,  who  practically  disregard  the  Sabbath ; 
yet,  it  is  believed,  there  are  few  who  would  willingly  see  that 
sacred  day  abolished." 

From  Boonshorough  and  vicinity^  Washington  County,  Md. 

"  The  transportation  and  opening  of  the  mail,  and  the  delive- 
ry of  letters  and  newspapers  from  Postoffices  on  the  Lord's  day, 
are  practices  injurious  to  the  morals,  and  to  the  civil  and  reli- 
gious institutions  of  our  country." 

From  Berkshire  County,  Mass. 

"  We  believe  the  good  sense  of  a  vast  majority  of  this  nation 
desire  a  suspension  of  labor  on  the  Sabbath ;  and  as  the  other 
offices  of  government  are  closed  on  that  day,  we  see  no  reason 
why  the  Postoffice  should  not  likewise  be  closed." 

From  Elizabethtown,  N.  J. 

"  Your  memorialists  would  state,  that  the  laws,  which  require 
the  opening  of  Postoffices,  &c.,  on  the  Sabbath,  have,  in  their  in- 
fluence, an  exceedingly  demoralizing  ejfect\i])on  the  community ; 
and  that  they  are  contrary  to  the  feelings  of  a  large  and  increas- 
ing portion  of  this  nation." 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  61 

From  Spotsylvania  County,  Va. 

"  The  undersigned  cannot  but  regard  the  transportation  and 
opening  of  the  mails  on  the  Lord's  day  as  injurious  to  the  morals 
of  the  community,  and  as  a  violation  of  that  rest,  which  all  who 
recognize  the  authority  of  the  New  Testament  not  only  feel  it 
their  duty  to  observe,  but  the  observance  of  which  they  consider 
a  glorious  privilege." 

From  James  M.  Garnett,  and  others,  Va. 

"  Human  passions  are  quite  sufficient,  of  themselves,  without 
any  legal  pretext  or  encouragement,  to  cause  many  more  viola- 
tions of  the  Sabbath,  than  human  laws  can  prevent." 

From  Accomac  County,  Va. 

"  The  undersigned  have,  for  a  long  time,  viewed  with  sorrow, 
the  demoralizing  effect  produced  by  the  transportation  and  open- 
ing of  the  mail  on  the  Sabbath,  as  well  in  this  county,  as  in  other 
parts." 

From  Edenhurgh,  Ohio. 

"Your  petitioners,  believing  the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath  a 
general  and  growing  evil  in  our  happy  country,  and  fully  per- 
suaded that  this  evil  is  perpetuated  by  the  transportation  and 
opening  of  the  public  mails  on  that  day, — humbly  pray,  that  you, 
who  are,  under  Providence,  intrusted  with  the  affairs  of  the 
nation,"  &c. 

From  the  City  of  New  York. 

"  Your  memorialists  beg  leave  respectfully  to  represent, — 
That  the  transportation  and  opening  of  mails,  and  the  delivery  of 
letters  and  newspapers  from  Postoffices  on  the  Lord's  day,  are 
practices  injurious  to  the  morals,  and  consequently  dangerous  in 
their  influences  upon  the  civil  institutions  of  this  country." 

From  the  City  of  Boston. 

"  Your  memorialists  are  fully  convinced,  that  the  transporta- 
tion of  the  mail  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  opening  of  Postoffices 
6 


62  THE   SABBATH. 

on  that  day,  operate  constantly  and  powerfully  to  bring  the  Sab- 
bath itself  into  neglect  and  contempt;  that  these  causes  are  more 
difficult  to  be  limited  and  concentrated  by  the  true  friends  of 
their  country,  than  any  other,  if  not  than  all  other,  causes  com- 
bined ;  and  that  no  remedy  can  be  found,  unless  the  national 
authority  shall  interpose  to  correct  the  evil." 

From  the  Grand  Jury  of  Washington  County^  Penn. 

"  The  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  by  the  running  of  the  mail 
stages  on  that  day,  is  considered  by  all  pious  and  reflecting  per- 
sons as  an  insult  to  Almighty  God,  and  as  likely  to  produce  a 
great  corruption  of  public  morals^  unless  the  practice  is  speedily 
reformed." 

From  Sharon^  Conn. 

"  Your  petitioners  deem  it  unnecessary  to  repeat  the  argu- 
ments and  motives  so  forcibly  urged  in  the  New  York  memorial, 
for  the  suppression  of  a  practice  which  has  become  most  alarm- 
ing in  its  extent ;  and  which,  if  suffered  to  continue,  must,  as 
ihey  verily  believe,  draw  down  the  sorest  visitations  of  Heaven 
upon  our  country." 

From  the  State  of  New  York. 

"  Your  memorialists  have  witnessed  this  increasing  immorali- 
ty with  deep  regret  and  solicitude,  and  they  are  constrained  to 
believe  that  it  is  in  vain  for  the  friends  of  good  order  to  attempt 
to  protect  this  holy  day  from  desecration,  while  the  government 
allows  the  mails  to  be  carried  on  Sundays,  and  requires  the  Post- 
masters to  deliver  letters,  papers,  and  packets  '  on  every  day  of 
the  week.'  We  feel  that  we  have  a  right  to  look  to  the  govern- 
ment of  our  country  for  example;  and  that  those,  whom  the 
people  have  clothed  with  power,  will  not  permit  a  practice  which 
is  continually  undermining  the  morals,  and  consequently  endan- 
gering the  liberties  of  the  nation." 

From  the  City  of  Boston. 

"  The  undersigned  would  respectfully  represent,  that  the 
transportation  of  the  mail  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  opening  of 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  63 

the  Postoffices  on  that  day  are  great  public  evils,  in  no  sense 
necessary,  and  not  counterbalanced  by  any  supposed  convenience 
arising  from  them." 

From  Washington  County,  Penn. 

"  Your  memorialists  beg  leave  also  to  appeal  to  your  own  ob- 
servation, as  statesmen  and  legislators,  to  sustain  us,  when  we 
assert,  that  the  disregard  and  breach  of  the  Fourth  Command- 
ment is  generally  the  first  inroad  to  crime  ;  and  that  moral  de- 
linquency, in  any  country,  increases  in  a  ratio  with  the  profana- 
tion of  the  day." 

From  Washington  County,  Ala. 

"  When  we  reflect  on  the  number  of  persons  employed  in  dis- 
charging the  various  duties  relative  to  Postoffices,  such  as  Post- 
masters, deputies,  clerks,  mail-carriers,  &c.,  we  cannot  but  regret 
that  the  subject  has  not,  long  since,  met  the  attention  of  the 
American  public.  AVe  heartily  concur  in  the  efforts  which  are 
making  to  restore  to  Postmasters,  &c.,  the  privilege,  which, 
under  the  present  regulations,  is  denied  to  them,  and  which  we 
believe  it  to  be  the  right  of  every  person  in  America  to  enjoy." 

From  Telfair  County,  Geo. 

"  Those  citizens  [Postmasters,  &c.]  are  compelled  to  follow 
their  daily  vocation,  in  violation  of  the  law  of  God,  while  all 
other  citizens  are,  by  the  laws  of  God  as  well  as  of  man,  espe- 
cially forbidden  thus  to  violate  that  consecrated  day." 

From  Callaway  County,  Ky. 

"  While  every  other  grade  and  order  of  the  people  of  this 
Union  are  permitted  a  cessation  from  toil  during  the  Sabbath,  yet 
the  persons  engaged  m  this  national  affair,  [the  Postoffice  De- 
partment,] are  compelled  to  drive  on  without  intermission." 

From  Washington  County,  Ky. 

"  We  pray  your  honorable  body  so  to  change  the  laws  regu- 
lating the  Postoffice  establishment,  as,  in  time  of  peace,  (at  all 
events),  to  prohibit  the  transporting  of  mails  and  the  opening  of 


64  THE    SABBATH. 

Postoffices  on  the  Sabbath,  and  thereby  afford  to  that  portion  of 
our  fellow-citizens,  [Postmasters,  fee]  the  enjoyment  of  this 
rest,  which  is  a  privilege  guarantied  to  every  human  being  by 
the  laws  of  God." 

Fro)n  Elkton,  Todd  County,  Ky. 

"  Your  memorialists  would  urge,  that  nothing  short  of  inevita- 
ble necessity  can  justify  the  imposition  of  such  labor  upon  so 
many  officers  throughout  the  Union;  an  imposition  which  is  ex- 
tended Xono  other  body  of  men  in  our  country." 

From  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  Tirzah  Postoffice,  N.  C. 

"  The  attention  which  Postmasters  and  their  clerks  are  obliged 
to  pay  to  their  respective  offices  on  the  Sabbath,  is  a  violation  of 
the  laws  of  God  and  our  country.  All  other  officers  of  our  gov- 
ernment are  exempt  from  performing  labor  on  that  day." 

Fro)n  Kent  Island^  Queen  Ami^s  County,  Md. 

"  The  petitioners  regret  exceedingly  the  existence  of  a  law  re- 
quiring the  transportation  and  opening  of  mails,  [opening  only,] 
and  the  delivery  of  letters  on  the  Sabbath  day.  By  this  law  a 
large  and  respectable  body  of  our  fellow-citizens  are  deprived  of 
an  opportunity  of  necessary  repose  from  their  daily  avocations, 
and  are  likewise  prevented  the  use  of  the  customary  means  of 
spiritual  and  intellectual  improvement." 

From  Merchajits  of  Baltimore. 

"  It  will,  moreover,  be  admitted,  that  in  no  department  under 
the  direction  of  the  General  Government,  is  it  more  necessary 
that  the  agents  employed  should  possess  the  highest  degree  of 
moral  feeling,  and  the  strictest  integrity,  than  in  the  Postoffice 
establishment.  It  cannot,  therefore,  be  wise  in  the  government, 
to  deprive,  by  its  own  regulations,  those,  who  are  charged  with 
the  important  trusts  of  this  department,  of  those  means  and  op- 
portunities for  social  and  religious  improvement,  which  are,  by 
common  consent,  acknowledged  so  eminently  to  contribute  to 
the  knowledge  and  practice  of  all  the  moral  duties." 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  65 

From  Washington  County,  Md. 

"  An  arrangement  of  the  kind  suggested  would  very  much 
meliorate  the  situation  of  deputy  Postmasters  throughout  the 
Union,  by  guarantying  to  them  the  privilege,  common  to  every 
other  citizen,  of  spending  the  Sabbath  in  the  public  worship  of 
their  God,  or  in  retirement  and  rest." 

From  Trenton,  N.  J. 

"  Your  memorialists  are  not  aware  of  any  reasons  which  can 
recommend  this  departure  from  the  practice  of  the  government, 
in  regard  to  all  the  other  public  offices.  It  did  not  prevail  in  the 
earlier  years  of  the  republic,  and  was  not  adopted,  it  is  believed, 
in  consequence  of  representations  from  those  whose  interest,  or 
convenience,  is  supposed  to  be  promoted  by  it." 

From  Chester  District,  S.  C. 

"  A  large  body  of  our  best  and  most  respectable  citizens  have 
long  considered  the  transporting  and  opening  the  mail  on  the 
Sabbath  a  serious  grievance ;  and  that  portion  of  our  citizens, 
whose  business  it  is,  by  law,  to  attend  to  the  labors  of  the  Post- 
office  on  the  Sabbath,  are  doomed  to  such  unequal  burdens 
and  privations,  as  should  not  be  exacted  from  any  portion  of  our 
citizens." 

From  Spartanburg  District,  S.  C. 

"  Justice,  in  behalf  of  a  numerous,  influential,  and  valuable 
class  of  public  officers,  pleads  for  an  exemption  from  official  duties 
on  the  Lord''s  day.  Some,  from  an  untiring  attention  to  the  duties 
of  their  office,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  have  not  been  to  the  house  of 
God  for  years.  Again,  such  a  regulation,  as  your  memorialists 
ask  for,  would  promote  the  general  interests  of  the  mail  depart- 
ment, in  the  best  possible  manner.  It  would  invite  many  to  act 
as  Postmasters,  and  to  serve  as  carriers,  who  are  now  effect- 
ually barred  from  those  places  by  the  fear  of  offending  God." 

From  Blairsville  and  vicinity,  York  District,  S.  C. 

"  Having  long  been  impressed  with  the  evil  and  impropriety 
6* 


66  THE   SABBATH. 

of  the  transportation  and  opening  of  the  mail  on  the  Sabbath, 
we,  your  memorialists  do  pray,  that,  during  the  present  session, 
a  law  may  be  passed  to  guaranty  to  the  Postmasters  and  their 
clerks  those  privileges,  which  are  enjoyed  by  all  the  other  officers 
imder  government,  and  which,  by  the  laws  of  God,  are  not  de- 
nied to  any  human  being." 

From  Augustus  Fitzhugh  and  others^  citizens  of  King  George 
County^  Va. 

"  In  all  Christian  coimtries  the  Sabbath  is  a  day  of  rest,  and 
set  apart  for  religious  worship  ;  and  your  memorialists  can  see 
no  necessity,  especially  in  time  of  peace,  for  profaning  it,  by 
keeping  at  labor  so  many  persons  as  the  Postoffice  Department 
requires.  Besides,  all  the  other  offices  under  government  are 
closed  on  that  day ;  and  it  seems  unreasonable,  that  the  Post- 
office  alone  should  he  kept  open.^"* 

From  Norfolk^  Conn. 

"  By  the  recent  report  of  the  Postmaster-General,  we  perceive 
that  the  services  of  about  27,000  persons  are  put  in  requisition, 
in  the  various  branches  of  this  Department.  A  large  proportion 
of  these  are  compelled  to  attend  to  this  business  on  the  Sabbath, 
or  resign  their  posts.  In  addition  to  the  personal  hardship  and 
injury  to  these  individuals,  their  example,  dispersed  as  they  are 
throughout  the  nation,  and  acting  under  the  high  sanction  of 
Government,  must  be  very  baneful.  We  see  no  cause  to  jus- 
tify this  arrangement;  for  the  plea  of  necessity  appears  no  more 
specious  than  in  the  case  of  men's  common  avocations.  By  the 
Sabbath  labors  of  these  many  thousands  of  men,  we  have  our 
letters  occasionally  a  day  or  two  sooner.  Similar  calculations 
might  be  made  of  the  results  of  labor,  in  any  other  useful  occu- 
pation. We  are  therefore  compelled  to  consider  this  in  the  light 
of  a  great  national  sin  against  the  God  of  all  our  mercies,  for 
which  we  have  reason  to  fear  his  righteous  indignation.  We 
are  unwilling  thus  to  be  accommodated,  in  violation  of  the  laws 
of  God,  and  to  the  prejudice  of  the  best  interests  of  our  beloved 
country.  We  also  apprehend,  that  the  present  regulations  have 
a  direct  tendency  to  consign  the  very  responsible  charge  of  the 


STJKDAY   MAILS.  67 

mail  to  the  hands  of  men  who  fear  not  God  nor  regard  moral 
obligation.  Already  has  the  mail  been  frequently  plundered  by 
those  to  whom  it  was  confided." 

From  the  City  of  New  York. 

"  While  the  mails  are  transported  on  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
there  will  be  much  unnecessary  traveling,  the  Postoffices  will 
be  opened,  the  news-rooms  thronged,  workmen  employed  in 
printing  offices,  expresses  sent  in  various  directions,  and  the 
attention  of  large  portions  of  the  community  withdrawn  from  a 
becoming  reverence  of  the  day,  to  be  occupied  in  secular  con- 
cerns. Your  memorialists  deem  it  unnecessary  to  urge  upon 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States  the  obligation  of  observing 
the  Lord's  day,  of  protecting  the  people  in  their  religious  privi- 
leges, and  of  the  baneful  consequences  of  practices  which,  under 
the  sanction  of  Government,  are  an  apology  for  every  other  vio- 
lation of  the  Sabbath  by  individuals.  They  may,  however,  be 
permitted  to  state,  that  the  government  of  God  is  recognized  in 
this  Christian  land;  that  the  observance  of  the  Lord's  day  is 
enjoined  by  divine  authority,  and  that  history  furnishes  abundant 
evidence,  that  a  general  disregard  of  it  involves  the  destruction 
of  civil  liberty." 

From  Ryegate^  Vermont, 

"  The  subscribers  have  long  witnessed  with  regret  the  pro- 
fanation of  the  Lord's  day  by  the  transportation  of  the  mail. 
The  thoughtless,  who  are  always  too  careless  of  improving 
sacred  time,  are  tempted ;  the  pious  are  grieved ;  travelers  in 
stages  must  forego  the  privileges  of  the  sanctuary,  or  lose  their 
passage  ;  innkeepers  and  villages  are  disturbed  by  the  arrival  of 
the  mail." 

From  Westmoreland  County^  Penn. 

"  The  transportation  and  opening  of  the  mail,  and  the  delivery 
of  letters  on  the  Sabbath,  are  viewed  by  your  memorialists  as 
an  evil,  tending  to  the  neglect  of  an  institution  the  observance 
of  which  is  necessary  to  permanent  good  order  and  morality,  and, 
of  course,  to  the  permanent  prosperity  of  the  people ; — an  evil 


68  THE   SABBATH. 

tending  to  encourage  traveling,  and  the  transportation  of  mer- 
chandize on  the  Sabbath,  insomuch  that,  in  many  places,  the 
worshipers  of  God  are  greatly  annoyed,  in  passing  to  and  from 
their  places  of  worship; — and  tending,  moreover,  to  draw  down 
upon  our  beloved  country  the  judgments  of  Heaven." 

From  Merchan,ts  of  Baltimore. 

"  As  merchants,  we  are,  perhaps,  more  interested  in  the  fa- 
cilities afforded  by  the  mail,  than  any  other  members  of  the 
community.  We  believe  that  the  mconveniences  which  would 
result  from  the  regulations  prayed  for  would  be  very  inconsider- 
able ;  and  were  they  greater  than  we  anticipate,  we  are  sure 
they  would  be  more  than  counterbalanced  by  the  benefits  which 
would  accrue  to  the  community  from  a  due  observance  of  the 
Sabbath." 

From  Caroline  County,  Md. 

"  The  Postoffice  in  London  is  never  open  on  Sundays,  and 
there  seems  to  us  no  necessity  that  Postoffices  m  this  country 
should  be  opened  on  that  day,  especially  in  time  of  peace." 

From  Trenton,  N.  J. 

"  In  London,  the  greatest  commercial  city  in  the  world,  the 
Postoffice  is  not  opened,  nor  any  mail  made  up  on  Sunday  ;  from 
which  it  may  be  inferred,  that  it  is  not  necessary  for  the  conve- 
nience of  the  mercantile  public." 

From  Coshocton,  Ohio. 

'  We  can  see  but  little  advantage  arising  to  society  at  large, 
from  transporting  and  opening  mails  on  the  Sabbath ;  and  that 
this  practice  is  a  great  evil,  is  acknowledged  by  many  who  are 
engaged  in  it,  and  felt  deeply  by  others." 

From  Bridgehampton,  L.  I. 

"  The  example  of  the  first  commercial  city  in  Europe,  in 
which  the  Postoffice  is  never  opened  during  the  Sabbath,  affords 
strong  presumptive  evidence  that  the  practice  is  wholly  unneces- 
sary, as  respects  the  commercial  interests  of  our  country." 


SUNDAY    BIAILS.  69 

From  Sfrasburg,  Lancaster  County^  Penn. 

"  Moreover,  the  indulgence  granted  to  mail  coaches  to  pursue 
their  daily  vocation  on  that  day,  holds  forth  a  demoralizing  pre- 
cedent to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States.  Many  teamsters, 
disposed  to  commit  breaches  of  the  Sabbath,  by  transporting 
merchandize  on  that  day,  plead,  in  justification  of  their  conduct, 
to  be  entitled  to  the  same  privileges  as  those  which  mail  coaches 
enjoy." 

From  Chester  County^  Penn. 

"  Many,  v^rho  habitually  violate  the  Lord's  day,  plead  the 
example  of  the  Postoffice  as  an  apology." 

From  the  vicinity  of  Agnew^s  Mills,  Penn. 

"  The  command  of  God,  and  the  welfare  of  our  country,  re- 
quire that  you  should  make  no  law  which  lays  the  burden  of 
breaking  the  Sabbath  upon  inferior  officers ;  that  from  the  foun- 
tain head  of  the  public  good,  no  stream  should  be  sent  forth  to 
desolate  our  comfort,  our  intelligence,  our  morals,  our  liberties, 
and  our  religion." 

From  Windsor,  Conn. 

"  We  believe  we  have  a  right  to  look  to  the  Government  of 
our  country  for  example — and  we  trust  that  Congress  will  not 
suffer  a  practice  which  continually  undermines  the  morals  of 
the  community." 

From  Philadelphia. 

"  That  the  direct  effect  of  the  present  regulations  in  the  Post- 
office  Department,  together  with  the  influence  of  an  exa7nple  ori- 
ginating with  the  Government,  tends  greatly  to  the  general  pro- 
fanation of  an  institution  with  which  the  best  interests  of  our 
country  are  connected,  and  leads  to  numerous  breaches  of  the 
good  order  and  peace  of  society." 

From  Atwater,  Portage  County,  Ohio. 
"  The  religious  assemblies  of  citizens,  peaceably  convened  for 


70  THE    SABBATH. 

the  worship  of  God  on  that  day,  are  in  many  places  disturbed, 
and  the  weight  o^  national  example  and  encouragement  is  given 
to  the  cause  of  vice  and  irreligion.  *  *  Regarding  the  subject  in 
a  political  point  of  view,  we  apprehend  that  those  feelings  of 
reverence  for  the  Sabbath,  which  exist  in  the  minds  of  the  more 
virtuous  part  of  the  community,  have  too  serious  a  bearmg 
upon  the  stability  and  perpetuity  of  our  free  institutions,  to  be 
discouraged  and  eradicated  by  legislative  enactments.  Such,  we 
think,  to  a  very  great  extent,  is  the  tendency  of  that  law,  which 
requires  the  secular  business  respecting  the  mail  for  this  whole 
country,  to  be  transacted  on  that  day,  in  some  measure  at  least, 
as  on  other  days  of  the  week." 

From  JElkton,  Todd  County^  Ky. 

"  The  demoralizing  effect  of  withdrawing  so  many  officers 
from  exercises  peculiar  to  the  day ; — the  allurements  held  out  to 
our  citizens  to  gather  around  the  offices  and  engage  in  political 
discussion; — the  influence  of  governmental  example^  in  giving  a 
sanction  to  the  violation  of  the  Sabbath ; — together  with  many 
other  similar  considerations,  cannot  have  escaped  the  attentioo 
of  your  honorable  body." 

These  extracts  are  closed  by  the  insertion  of  the  following  cir- 
cular, adopted  by  inhabitants  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  ad- 
dressed to  gentlemen  in  different  parts  of  the  State.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  committee,  it  is  said,  are  of  the  first  respectability, 
and  belong  to  different  denominations  of  Christians.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  one  of  them  was  Mr.  Grundy,  the  present  United 
States'  Attorney,  who  was  one  of  the  Committee  on  Postoffices 
and  Postroads  in  the  Senate  when  the  author's  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  second  session  of  the  twenty-fifth  Congress — which 
committee  made  no  report. 

"  Nashville,  Dec.  29,  1828. 

"  Gentlemen — As  a  committee  appointed  by  a  meeting  lately 

held  in  this  city,  we  ask  your  serious  attention  to  the  subject  of 

the  enclosed  memorial.     We  feel  a  deep  and  solemn  conviction 

that  the  dictates  of  a  wise  public  policy^  as  well  as  a  just  sense  of 


SUNDAY    MALLS.  71 

religious  duty,  require  that  every  discreet  and  temperate  effort 
should  be  made  to  induce  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
to  amend  the  laws  regulating  the  Postoffice  Department,  so  as 
to  prevent  the  transportation  and  opening  of  mails,  and  the  de- 
livery of  letters,  newspapers,  and  packages,  on  the  day  which  is 
almost  universally  acknowledged  in  our  country  as  the  Christian 
Sabbath. 

"  We,  therefore,  in  compliance  with  the  duty  enjoined  on  us, 
earnestly  solicit  your  prompt  co-operation  in  procuring  signatures 
to  the  enclosed  memorial,  from  as  many  persons  of  virtuous 
character  as  you  can ;  and  that  you  forward  your  memorials, 
when  signed,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  by  mail,  to  such 
member  of  Congress  as  you  may  deem  proper. 
"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 
William  Carroll,  John  Nichol, 

Francis  B.  Fogg,  Alpha  Kingsley, 

D.  B.  Hayes,  Nathan  Ewing, 

F.  Grundy,  Joseph  Litton, 

Moses  Norvell,  John  Price, 

M.  Watson,  R.  Weakley, 

William  McCombs,  Jesse  Wharton, 

Robert  H.  McEwen,  H.  R.  W.  Hill, 

Hugh  Elliot,  N.  A.  McNaires." 

CHARACTER    AND    OBJECTS    OF    THE    MEMORIALISTS. 

"  It  is  well  known,  that  the  memorialists  are  among  all  denomi- 
nations of  Christians,  among  the  most  respectable  merchants  in 
our  large  cities,  and  the  most  eminent  divines,  civilians,  and 
statesmen  that  our  country  can  boast.  Nor  can  we  refrain  from 
briefly  statiog  here  their  object,  and  some  of  the  reasons  on 
which  they  found  their  appeal. 

1.  Their  object  is  simple,  and  worthy  of  all  commendation. 
They  wish  to  rescue  the  Sabbath  from  its  growing  profanations  ; 
and  for  this  purpose  they  ask  Congress,  not  indeed  to  enforce  its 
observance,  but  merely  to  abstain  from  abetting  its  violation  by 
their  laws,  and  to  cause,  or  at  least  permit  it,  to  be  respected  in 
the  Postoffice  Department,  as  it  has  ever  been,  in  all  the  legisla- 


72  THE    SABBATH. 

tive,  judicial,  and  executive  departments  of  our  State  and  na- 
tional governments. 

2.  It  is  obviously  within  the  Constituiional  power  of  Congress 
to  grant  this  simple  request.  The  Constitution  does  not  require 
them  to  profane  the  Sabbath  either  in  person  or  by  proxy ;  and 
surely  they  are  at  liberty,  if  they  choose,  to  cease  from  encour- 
aging and  even  forcing  a  large  number  of  our  citizens  to  violate 
it  by  the  transportation  of  mails,  and  the  openmg  of  Postoffices 
on  that  day.  *  * 

3.  The  Memorialists  consider  it  altogether  unnecessary  to 
transport  the  mail,  and  deliver  letters  on  the  Sabbath.  This 
practice  was  scarcely  known  during  our  early  history,  and  the 
period  of  our  greatest  prosperity.  *  * 

4.  The  present  practice  seems,  even  as  a  part  of  our  financial 
system,  to  be  of  very  doubtful  expediency.  It  may  indeed  be 
doubted  whether  it  does  not  incur  a  loss  rather  than  insure  a 
saving  of  time,  labor,  and  money.  *  * 

7.  The  Memorialists  also  think  that  Congress  ought,  in  just- 
ice to  individuals  and  the  several  States,  to  discontmue  the  Sab- 
bath mails.  A  large  number  of  our  countrymen  have  made 
great  personal  efforts,  and  nearly  every  State  has  enacted  laws, 
to  preserve  the  Sabbath  from  profanation,  and  diffuse  its  bless- 
ings through  the  community ;  but  the  present  policy  directly 
interferes  with  these  pious  and  patriotic  measures,  and  the  high 
example  of  Congress,  seen  and  felt  throughout  the  land,  most 
powerfully  tends  to  defeat  every  plan  that  may  be  devised  by 
individuals  or  by  States  to  rescue  this  holy  day  from  general  and 
perhaps  perpetual  prostration. 

8.  The  present  practice  is  fraught  with  fearful  consequences 
to  our  political  mterests.  *  *=  If  the  same  practice  should  be 
introduced  into  the  other  departments  of  government,  in  relation 
to  the  Sabbath,  that  exists  in  the  PostofRce  Department,  the 
entire  government  of  our  nation  like  that  of  revolutionary  France^ 
would  be  thrown  into  the  hands  of  avowed  or  virtual  infidels, 
and  might  be  wielded  with  fatal  efficacy  to  sweep  away  the . 
last  bulwark  of  our  civil  and  religious  liberties.  *  * 

10.  For  reasons  like  these,  a  majority  of  our  most  intelligent, 
virtuous,  and  respectable  citizens  earnestly  desire,  that  the  mail 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  73 

may  be  stopt,  and  Postoffices  closed,  on  the  Sabbath.  The 
wishes  of  such  and  so  many  citizens  deserve  a  very  respectful 
consideration.  Congress  may,  however,  refuse  for  the  present 
to  comply  with  their  request ;  but  we  trust  the  day  is  fast  com- 
ing when  the  Sabbath  will  be  so  generally  respected,  its  import- 
ance so  highly  appreciated,  and  public  opinion  so  strongly  and 
universally  in  its  favor,  that  a  voice,  issuing  from  every  city,  and 
village,  and  hamlet,  from  Maine  to  Florida,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  western  wilderness,  will  pour  upon  the  ear  of  Congress 
such  notes  of  remonstrance  as  must  and  will  be  heard  and 
heeded." — Note  in  the  '■''First  Annual  Report  of  the  Lowell  Sab- 
bath Union.'''' 

From  the  foregoing  may  be  known  the  feelings  and  character 
of  a  great  majority  of  those  who  were  then  opposed  to  vSunday 
mails.  No  candid,  intelligent  man  will  deny  that  they  were 
among  the  most  respectable  and  influential  of  our  citizens.  And 
there  is  no  good  reason  to  suppose  that  this  class  of  men  have 
experienced  any  change  in  their  feelings,  in  respect  to  this  evil. 


MEMORIALS  AND  PETITIONS  IN  FAVOR  OF  SUNDAY  MAILS. 

Memorials  from  several  sources  were  forwarded  to  Congress, 
remonstrating  against  a  repeal  of  the  law  requiring  Postmasters 
to  labor  on  Sunday,  and  the  enactment  of  a  law  prohibiting  the 
carrying  of  the  mail  on  that  day. 

One  from  inhabitants  of  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire ;  one 
from  citizens  of  the  town  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  dated  Jan.  8 
1830 ;  one  from  residents  of  Philadelphia,  Penn. ;  one  from  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  dated  Feb.  15,  1830, 
which  does  not  well  comport  with  their  laws  against  Sabbath 
desecration ;  and  one  from  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Salem, 
New  Jersey,  dated  Jan.  20,  1830. 

Also,  January  22, 1831,  one  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  Alabama.  (See  the  laws  of  this  State  against  labor  on 
Sunday.)  January  31,  1831,  one  from  citizens  of  Kentucky  y 
February  14,  1831,  one  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State 
of  Illinois ;  (see  also  the  Sabbath  law  of  this  State,)  and  one, 
February  24, 1831,  from  citizens  of  Windham  County,  Vermont. 
7 


74  THE    SABBATH. 

It  is  sufficiently  painful,  even  to  read  over  these  remonstrances, 
without  making  extracts  from  them.  Some  are  counterparts  of 
R.  M.  Johnson's  Reports ;  and  can,  by  no  consistent  Christian, 
be  supposed  to  deserve  more  respect,  because  of  their  unfairness 
and  abuse,  and  the  anti-Christian  spirit  which  they  manifest. 
That  a  Sf.ate  Legislature,  professing  to  be  governed  by  laws 
enacted,  or  sanctioned  and  enforced  by  penalties  which  them- 
selves have  fixed,  should  memorialize  Congress  to  do  the  things, 
in  their  territory  and  throughout  the  nation,  which  they,  by  ex- 
press statute,  had  forbidden  to  be  done,  is  not  a  little  surprising. 

Hence  we  see  the  folly  as  well  as  danger  of  appointing  those 
to  legislate  for  the  people,  who  have  not  sufficient  moral  prin- 
ciple and  consistency  of  character,  either  to  enact  wise  and 
wholesome  laws,  or  to  encourage  the  obedience  of  them.  In- 
deed, any  person  who  lends  his  influence  in  any  way,  to  elevate 
to  posts  of  honor  and  trust  an  imilloral  man,  a  Sabbath-breaker, — 
or  an  habitual  transgressor  of  any  good  law, — is  sinning  against 
God  and  his  country  ;  and  in  the  judgment,  will  be  required  to 
answer  for  the  abuse  of  his  elective  franchise. 

It  is  believed  that  even  moral,  exemplary  men  are  not  suffi- 
ciently aware  of  the  responsibility  devolving  upon  them  in  re- 
gard to  this  matter.  They  have  not,  as  a  general  rule,  given 
their  suffrages,  irrespective  of  party,  political  or  religious,  to 
men  of  good  moral  character ;  nor  considered  themselves  under 
the  most  solemn  obligation,  as  doubtless  they  are,  to  vote  for 
such  men  only  as  scrupulously  observe  all  those  laws  which 
serve  to  elevate  and  purify  the  morals  of  a  people,  while  they 
contribute  greatly  to  their  civil  and  political  prosperity. 

Whenever  immoral,  unprincipled  men  are  elected  to  make 
or  administer  the  laws,  there  is  a  fault  somewhere ;  and  who 
have  been  the  occasion  of  this  e^dl  ?  Who,  at  the  last  great 
day  will  be  found  most  guilty  ?  It  is  high  time,  that  all  men 
should  understand  their  duty  in  relation  to  this  thing,  and  never 
again  give  their  vote  for  law-breakers — unprincipled,  immoral 
men ;  for  little  or  no  good  can  be  expected  to  result  from  such 
an  act.  And  it  is  imwise,  wicked,  and  dangerous  to  hazard,  in 
this  way,  our  most  important  interests. 

Many  have  voted  for  one  or  the  other  of  the  nominated  candi- 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  75 

dates,  though  against  their  better  judgment  and  wishes,  on  the 
ground  that  the  exigencies  of  the  case  not  only  call  for  their 
influence,  but  justify  them  in  choosing  between  two  evils.  But 
this  is  neither  right  nor  necessary.  For  whenever  it  is  gene- 
rally known  that  no  good,  moral  man,  in  the  nation,  will,  under 
any  circumstances,  vote  for  an  immoral  man,  whether  his  im- 
morality consist  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  God  or  man,  he  will 
not  be  reduced  to  the  alternative  of  supporting  a  dangerous  man , 
or  sacrificing  his  vote.  In  that  event,  suitable  candidates  would 
every  where  be  presented  for  the  suffrages  of  the  people.  Thus 
we  might  not  only  avoid  the  judgments  of  heaven  for  this  na- 
tional sin,  but  secure  an  invaluable  and  permanent  good.  Every 
Christian  and  every  moral  man  is  unquestionably  in  duty  bound 
to  sacrifice  party  views  to  the  general  good,  and  consequently  is 
bound  to  vote  for  such  candidates  only,  as  are  known  to  be 
friendly  to  pure  morality  and  Christian  institutions.  How  a 
professor  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  adopting  the  principles 
of  that  kingdom,  which  is  righteousness  and  peace,  can  aid  in 
elevating  to  office  an  opposer  of  that  religion,  and  a  practical 
nuUifier  of  its  precepts,  is  not  to  our  mind  explicable  !  He  must 
first  have  abandoned  his  religion,  at  least  in  its  high  obligations. 

The  present  condition  of  our  nation  calls  loudly  for  this  reform. 
When  it  is  effected,  men  in  high  places  will  not  be  found  on 
the  slightest  pretext  to  vilify  the  character,  and  oppose  the  con- 
sistent and  benevolent  efforts  of  the  moral,  law-abiding  part  of 
the  community.  All  opposition  to  such  efforts  arises  either 
from  ignorance,  mistaken  views,  or  a  bad  heart,  a  heart  which 
will  not  be  restrained  in  its  wicked  propensities  and  passions. 

The  opposition  with  which  good  men  have  been  called  to 
contend,  in  their  efforts  to  put  away  from  this  people  the  sin  of 
Sabbath-breaking,  should  not,  in  the  least,  have  deterred  them ; 
but  on  the  contrary,  should  have  stimulated  them  to  greater 
vigilance  and  fidelity,  in  their  remonstrances  against  the  law 
which  requires  men  to  violate  a  plain  command  of  God.  Then, 
long  ere  this,  their  prayer  might  have  been  answered,  and  this 
great  evil  have  been  removed  from  our  land. 

Many  of  the  committees  who  reported  on  this  part  of  the  Pe- 
titions, and  more  than  one  of  the  Postmasters-General,  have  ex- 


76  THE  SABBATH. 

pressed  an  opinion  that  such  a  law  was  unnecessary,  and  recom- 
mend that  it  should  be  repealed.  The  Petitions  of  1838  and 
1839,  which  were  respectfully  received,  printed,  and  referred,  by 
both  Houses  of  Congress,  call  for  nothing  more,  than  that  Con- 
gress should  repeal  the  law  requiring  Postmasters  to  labor  on 
Sunday.  And  should  not  all  the  good  people  of  this  nation, 
earnestly  and  perseveringly  ask  for  the  same  thing,  until  their 
request  is  granted. 


Petition  of  Harmon  Kingsbury,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  praymg 
the  repeal  of  that  part  of  an  act  of  Congress  regulating  the 
Postoffice  Department,  which  requires  Postmasters  to  deliver 
letters,  &c.,  on  Sunday. 

December  12,  1837. 

Referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Postoffice  and  Post-roads, 

and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States,  in  Congress  assembled : 
Your  petitioner,  Harmon  Kingsbury,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
Respectfully  showeth : 

I  come,  not  to  ask  pecuniary  benefit  for  myself  or  others, 
nor  to  attempt  to  "  unite  Church  and  State,^^  as  was  the  cry 
(unkind  as  it  was  false,)  when  petitions  were  presented  to  Con- 
gress against  labor  on  Sunday,  in  1829  and  1830 ;  nor  to  ask 
Congress  to  lay  hands  on  the  Church  or  on  her  enemies,  or  to 
make  a  law  in  favor  of  or  against  any  command  in  the  Bible  ; 
but  I  come  to  ask  a  nation's  blessing ;  and,  in  behalf  of  the  long- 
injured  and  much-desecrated  Christian  Sabbath,  to  implore  Con- 
gress to  take  off  those  hands  already  laid  upon  the  Church,  in 
the  act  requiring  labor  on  that  day,  which  has  well  nigh  driven 
the  institution  from  our  country ;  in  a  word,  to  repeal  a  part  of 
section  9,  in  an  act  passed  April,  1810,  and  re-enacted  March, 
1825,  section  11,  regulating  the  Postoffice  establishment,  which 
is  in  these  words,  viz  :  "  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Post- 
master, at  all  reasonable  hours,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to  de- 
liver, on  demand,  any  letter,  paper,  or  packet,  to  the  person  en- 
titled to  or  authorized  to  receive  the  same;"  that  the  institutions 


SUNDAY  MALLS.  77 

of  religion,  in  future,  may  be  left  as  the  Constitution  left  them, 
unaided  and  un trammeled  by  legislative  enactments.  I  am  en- 
couraged, in  presenting  this  memorial,  by  the  reflection  that  I 
am  addressing  patriots,  republicans,  and  Christians  ;  those  who 
desire  a  nations  blessing,  and  the  best  interests  of  their  constitu- 
ents, as  much  as  any  petitioner  can  desire  them ;  and  also  that 
pa7'ti/  distinctions,  heretofore  existing,  can  have  nothing  to  do 
in  deciding  this  question.  It  cannot  be  a  party  question,  unless 
Christianity  and  anti-Christianity  be  the  dividing  lines,  which 
God  grant  may  never  exist  in  our  halls  of  legislation. 

Your  petitioner  is  not  alone  in  his  prayer  on  this  subject ;  but 
it  is  believed  that  nine-tenths  of  your  moral,  intelligent,  influen- 
tial, respectable,  and  peaceful  constituents,  among  whom  are 
many  who  do  not  believe  in  the  Christian  religion,  seeing  the 
deleterious  efiects  of  profaning  that  day,  would  immediately 
send  to  your  honorable  body  their  names  and  their  complaints, 
but  for  the  unexpected,  and,  as  they  think,  imdeserved  treatment 
which  they  received  on  the  occasion  already  alluded  to.  And, 
though  their  memorials  have  not  been  renewed,  they  could  not 
be  unconcerned  spectators,  while  the  evil  has  been  increasing 
like  a  mighty  torrent,  rolling  from  one  end  of  the  land  to  the 
other,  and  threatening  the  destruction,  not  only  of  their  religion, 
but  of  all  republican  institutions.  No,  they  could  not,  and  can- 
not now  rest,  while  any  of  their  fellow-citizens  are  compelled  to 
violate  a  plain  and  an  important  precept  of  the  Bible.  And  is 
not  now  a  favorable  time  to  gratify  these  constituents  in  their 
wishes,  when  there  is  no  excitement  on  this  subject,  as  there 
was  when  the  question  was  before  Congress  in  1829  and  1830  ? 

It  need  not  be  asked  in  this  place,  "  Is  there  a  Sabbath,  and 
shall  it  be  celebrated  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  ?"  for  the  Con- 
stitution took  it  for  granted,  and  Congress  has  always  taken  it 
for  granted ;  neither  need  it  be  inquired,  "  Should  there  be  no 
law  requiring  its  violation  ?" — for  these  are  truths  easily  de- 
monstrated from  holy  writ,  and  from  the  observation  of  every 
competently  enlightened  person. 

There  is  a  Sabbath.    It  is  an  ordinance  from  Heaven,  lying  at 
the  foundation  not  only  of  the  Christian  religion,  but  of  all  true 
republicanism ;  and  is  alike  binding  upon  all  men,  and  should 
7* 


78  THE  SABBATH. 

be  equally  free  to  all.  I  shall  not  now  attempt  to  sustain  these 
positions  by  argument  and  proof,  but  shall  also  take  them  for 
granted. 

The  framers  of  the  Constitution^  and  those  who  for  many 
years  administered  it,  doubtless  had  in  their  eye  the  ^rs^day 
Sabbath  and  the  Christian  religion.  They  were  legislating,  not 
for  Jews,  Mohamedans,  mfidels,  atheists,  or  pagans,  but  for 
Christians.  And,  believing  the  Christian  religion  the  only  one 
adapted  to  sustain  and  perpetuate  the  Government  about  to  be 
formed,  they  adopted  it  as  the  basis  of  their  infant  republic. 
Reference  to  the  following  facts,  (some  of  which  were  years  ago 
collected  by  another,)  it  would  seem,  must  convince  any  man  of 
the  correctness  of  this  opinion.  Yes,  this  nation  had  a  religion, 
and  it  was  the  Christian  religion.  To  meet  the  denial  of  this 
position,  I  adduce  the  following  particulars ;  which  may  be 
found  more  minutely  stated  in  Objection  seventh,  chap.  5 — to 
which  the  reader  is  referred,  viz : — Sabbath  for  the  President — 
the  delegates  who  adopted  the  Constitution  kept  the  Christian 
Sabbath — Congressmen  and  others  boimd  by  oath  to  support  the 
Constitution — Bibles  were  printed  by  Congress  to  be  distributed 
in  this  country.  The  designation  of  time,  "  the  year  of  our  Lord :" 
judicial  courts  not  to  sit  on  Sunday,  and  Congress  adjourned  over 
that  day  :  fasts  were  observed  :  and  from  language  then  used  by 
them,  it  would  seem  that  they  believed  in  special  judgments, 
and  that  such  threatenings  as  are  recorded  in  Isaiah  xii.  60 — 
"  For  the  nation  and  kingdom  that  will  not  serve  Thee  shall 
perish :  yea,  those  nations  shall  be  utterly  wasted,"  would  be 
fulfilled.  They  served  God  politically^  by  enacting  just,  equal, 
and  righteous  laws  ;  such  as  would  be  best  for  the  people,  irre- 
spective of  his  religion,  though  not  contrary  to  it.  Washington 
once  exclaimed,  when  it  was  told  him  that  the  British  had  at- 
tacked and  killed  a  few  Americans,  "  I  mourn  the  loss  of  my 
countrymen,  but  rejoice  that  the  British  are  determined  to  keep 
God  on  our  side." 

Days  for  thanksgiving  were  appointed.  Legislative  bodies 
may  practice  the  duties  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  recommend? 
them  to  others,  without  "  uniting  Church  and  State,"  and  mak- 
ing "  test  laws."    Washington  and  the  early  Congresses  felt 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  79 

under  obligation,  in  order  to  secure  God's  blessing,  to  keep  all 
his  commandments  contained  in  the  Bible;  among  which  is, 
"  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy."  And  does  any 
one  believe,  that  they  could  have  been  induced,  as  legislators,  to 
require  labor  on  the  Lord's  day  ?  And  can  it  be,  that  your  as- 
sembly will  consent,  that  national  sanction  and  national  law 
shall  longer  exist  to  encourage  and  compel  its  profanation,  and 
thereby  become  partakers  in  the  guilt  of  those  who  enacted  it, 
as  well  as  of  those  bodies  which  have  since  legislated  here,  and 
consented  to  the  practice  which  renders  this  nation  justly  ob- 
noxious to  the  divine  displeasure  ?  Is  Congress  willing  that  their 
constituents  and  the  world  should  know  that  they  refuse  to  re- 
peal an  act  requiring  labor  on  Sunday,  when  nearly  all  the 
States  in  this  Union,  and  every  Christian  nation  on  the  globe,  so 
far  as  I  know,  when  they  have  said  any  thing  on  the  subject, 
have  forbidden  it  ?  Certain  I  am,  that  the  late  King  and  present 
Queen  of  England,  in  their  royal  proclamations,  put  much  stress 
on  that  day,  and  required  its  strict  observance. 

Are  not  the  voice  and  example  of  great  and  good  men,  and 
the  language  and  spirit  of  the  Constitution,  sufficient  to  justify 
and  encourage  the  repeal  of  the  clause  here  complained  of  ? 
It  is  hoped  they  are ;  and  it  is  thought  that  most  of  the  good  citi- 
zens of  this  country  believe  the  Sabbath  essential  to  national 
PROSPERITY.  At  the  time  of  the  report,  in  1830,  in  favor  of  labor 
in  the  mail  department  on  Sunday,  ninety-three  in  the  House 
were  in  favor  of  printing  ten  thousand  copies  of  it,  and  sixty- 
seven  against  it.  Mr.  McCreery,  one  of  the  committee,  present- 
ed his  written  opinion  in  favor  of  granting  the  request  of  the  pe- 
titioners. And  the  report  of  Mr.  McKean,  of  a  committee  of  the 
House  on  Sunday  mail  petitions,  made  the  year  before,  recom- 
mends the  repeal  of  so  much  of  the  law  as  requires  labor  on 
Sunday.  All  which  shows  that  the  Sabbath  had  not  then  lost 
all  its  friends.     Permit  me  to  make  a  few 

Extracts  from  Mr.  McKean' s  Report. 

"  On  the  other  branch  of  the  case,  that  of  Postmasters  being 
compelled  by  law  to  open  their  offices  and  deliver  letters,  news- 
papers, &c.,  on  the  Sabbath,  this  committee  believe  it  is  not  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  the  successful  transaction  of  any  branch  of 


80  THE  SABBATH. 

business.  It  has  been  suggested,  and  it  is  believed,  that  the  most 
disorder  is  occasioned  by  a  class  of  individuals,  not  of  business 
habits,  and  who  seldom  receive  letters  by  mail,  who,  having 
leisure  on  the  Sabbath,  resort  to  the  Postofl&ce  to  hear  the  news 
and  for  pastime. 

"  If,  as  is  believed,  the  House  will  concur  with  the  committee 
in  opinion  that  no  restraint  ought  to  be  imposed  on  the  con- 
sciences of  individuals  by  the  force  of  human  law,  it  will  pre- 
sent an  absurdity,  if  we  permit  to  remain  among  our  legislative 
acts,  an  express  provision  requiring  a  portion  of  our  citizens  to 
perform  certain  duties  on  the  Sabbath,  which  they  conscientious- 
ly believe  to  be  morally  wrong. 

"  The  committee  cannot  see  why  it  would  not  be  equally 
proper  to  require  by  law,  our  courts  of  justice  to  sit  on  the  Sab- 
bath; and  that  executive  and  legislative  duties  should  be  per- 
formed on  that  day  ?  Would  such  a  law  be  deemed  reasonable  ? 
Would  the  people  approve  of  it,  when  it  might  drive  from  the 
public  service  many  of  the  ablest  and  most  useful  officers,  who 
would  relinquish  their  stations  rather  than  violate  their  con- 
sciences ? 

"  The  committee  conceive  that  all  such  cases  should  be  regu- 
lated by  public  opinion,  and  controlled  by  emergencies,  without 
any  positive  legal  injunction.  It  is  believed  that  the  statute 
books  contain  no  provision,  except  in  the  instance  of  Postmasters, 
requiring  the  performance  of  official  duty  on  the  Sabbath. 

"  In  conclusion,  the  committee  earnestly  recommend  the  re- 
peal of  so  much  of  the  11th  section  of  the  Postoffice  law  of 
March,  1825,  [the  same  as  in  1810,]  as  requires  Postmasters  to 
deliver  letters,  newspapers,  &c.  on  the  Sabbath." 

Hon.  John  McLean,  then  Postmaster-General,  in  answer  to 
inquiries  made  by  said  committee,  says  : — "  It  is  believed  that 
the  revenue  of  the  department  would  not  be  lessened,  to  any 
considerable  amount,  if  no  letters  or  newspapers,  &c.,  were  de- 
livered at  the  different  Postoffices  on  the  Sabbath." 

Whether  the  revenue  would  be  lessened  or  not,  by  the  per- 
formance of  such  acts  on  Sunday,  should  not  be  a  matter  of  in- 
quiry ;  for  all  moneys  thus  obtained  would  come  to  this  nation 


SUNDAY   MAILS.  81 

at  a  premium  higher  than  it  would  be  justified  in  paying.  It  is 
the  principle  of  compelling  labor,  by  a  national  law^  on  that  day, 
contrary  to  the  law  of  God,  that  is  complained  of. 

It  is  supposed  that  these  opinions  are  entertained  by  most 
true  patriots  and  sound  politicians,  whether  believers  in  the 
Christian  religion  or  not.  I  once  heard  an  unbeliever  express 
this  sentiment,  viz :  "  The  appropriate  religious  exercises  of  the 
Sabbath,  in  republics,  are  the  mainspring  of  sobriety,  intelli- 
gence, morality,  and  true  patriotism ;  and,  though  I  do  not  be- 
lieve in  the  Bible,  I  never  wish  to  see  the  Sabbath  abolished." 
But  if  this  nation  continue  to  require  labor  on  Sunday,  it  surely 
will  be  abolished,  or  its  legitimate  influence  on  the  people  will 
be  lost.  Example,  in  high  places,  is  not  only  contagious,  but 
often,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  becomes  law. 

It  is  sometimes  said  that  the  Sabbath  is  not  essential  to  intel- 
ligence, peace,  morality,  and  republican  institutions.  It  will  be 
admitted  that  it  is  not  so  essential  where  despotism  holds  the 
rod  of  iron  over  the  people.  Where  physical  force,  not  reason, 
governs,  there  ignorance  may  be  in  a  measure  controlled.  The 
main  pillars  which  support  the  thrones  of  the  despot  and  the 
proud  monarch,  are  their  will,  aided  by  physical  strength.  But 
not  so  with  republics.  They  must  be  founded  on  intelligence, 
and  controlled  by  reason  and  argument.  Republics  cannot  govern 
ignorance,  because  the  means  used  are  not  adapted  to  such  an  end. 

Now,  when  it  is  said  that  the  strict  religious  observance  of  the 
Sabbath  is  essential  to  intelligence,  peace,  morality,  and  repub- 
lican institutions  ;  the  eye  is  fixed  on  this  great,  enterprising,  and 
prosperous  nation,  whose  only  law  is  the  will  of  the  people^  not 
of  a  despot ;  and  the  truths,  that  ignorance,  clothed  in  her  man- 
tle of  intemperance,  immorality,  and  sloth,  cannot  guide  this 
mighty  ship  over  the  trackless,  restless  sea  upon  which  she  is 
launched  ;  that  an  immoral  community  cannot  be  an  intelligent 
and  peaceful  community  ;  and  that  tlie  appropriate  exercises  of 
the  Sabbath,  such  as  devout  readmg,  and  the  faithful  preaching 
of  the  Gospel,  are  the  greatest  incitements  to  a  peaceful,  indus- 
trious, temperate,  moral,  and  sober  life.  Therefore,  it  is  said, 
without  a  Sabbath  duly  observed,  this  nation  cannot  long  con- 
tinue independent,  prosperous,  and  happy. 


82  THE  SABBATH. 

Where,  in  the  whole  universe,  is  there  to  be  found  an  instrument 
favoring  these  objects  so  benignly  as  the  too  often  neglected  and 
despised  Sabbath  ?  And  who  cannot  see  that  every  abridg- 
ment of  its  legitimate  influence  is  weakening  the  foundation, 
not  only  of  our  religion,  but  of  our  republican  institutions  ?  All 
history  shows  that  the  Sabbath,  wherever  it  has  been  duly  ob- 
served, has  proved  an  invaluable  blessing  to  the  people.  Ob- 
servation, and  the  experience  of  good  men,  loudly  proclaim  the 
same  fact.  Then,  how  can  any  lover  of  his  country  lend  his  in- 
fluence to  desecrate  that  day,  or  withhold  that  influence  to  pre- 
vent its  further  desecration  ? 

Save  this  country  from  an  ignorant^  Sabhath-breaking  commu' 
nity.  And,  in  order  to  do  this,  the  clause  referred  to  must  be 
repealed. 

Only  a  few  facts  will  be  referred  to,  to  show  that  we  are  a 
Sabbath-breaking  people,  for  they  cannot  have  escaped  the  no- 
tice of  any  of  the  gentlemen  composing  this  honorable  body. 
They  are  seen,  as  often  as  the  day  returns,  in  every  stage  and 
Postoffice ;  in  every  steam  and  canal  boat ;  in  every  rail-car  and 
omnibus ;  in  every  place  of  public  resort,  and  in  most  houses 
kept  for  the  entertamment  of  travelers.  And  this  practice  is  not 
confined  to  one  section  of  our  country,  nor  to  one  class  of  her 
citizens;  but  some  of  all  classes  and  grades  of  society  partici- 
pate in  the  immorality.  Even  this  beautiful  city  exhibits  pain- 
ful evidence  of  the  truth  of  what  has  been  said  ;  and  the  evil  is 
by  no  means  confined  to  the  citizens  or  private  individuals  tem- 
porarily residing  here.  It  is  seen  in  high  places ;  and  its  con- 
taminating influence  circulates  through  every  artery  of  this  great 
nation,  filling  with  pain  and  sorrow  the  heart  of  those  who  sin- 
cerely love  their  country,  and  that  kingdom  which  Jesus  Christ 
came  into  the  world  to  establish. 

What  patriot  or  Christian  can  look  upon  these  millions  of  Sab- 
bath-breakers, scattered  as  they  are  all  over  the  land,  mingling 
with  every  family,  and  leaving  the  polluting  leaven  wherever 
they  go,  without  washing  his  own  hands  of  the  sin,  and  calling 
upon  every  man,  woman,  and  child  to  "  Remember  the  Sab- 
bath day  to  keep  it  holy  V  And  in  view  of  these  facts  and  con- 
siderations, is  there  a  single  member  of  the  twenty-fifth  Congress 


SUNDAY  JIAILS.  83 

who  will  raise  his  voice  against  granting  the  prayer  of  this 
petition  ? 

Law  to  be  Repealed. 

The  whole  section  reads  as  follows: — '•'■And  be  it  further  en- 
acted, That  every  Postmaster  shall  keep  an  office,  in  which  one 
or  more  persons  shall  attend  on  every  day  on  which  a  mail,  or 
bag,  or  other  packet,  or  parcel  of  letters  shall  arrive  by  land  or 
water,  as  well  as  on  other  days,  at  such  hours  as  the  Postmaster- 
General  shall  direct,  for  the  purpose  of  performing  the  duties 
thereof;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Postmaster,  at  all  rea- 
sonable hours,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to  deliver,  on  demand, 
any  letter,  paper,  or  packet  to  the  person  entitled  to  or  authoriz- 
ed to  receive  the  same,"  &c. 

I  do  not  think  any  of  this  part  of  the  law  necessary  ;  for,  if  a 
deputy  Postmaster  will  not  obey  the  instructions  of  the  Post- 
master-General, he  can  be  removed,  and  one  appointed  who  wUl. 
The  former  part  of  this  section  would  be  well  enough,  provided 
the  Postmaster-General  would  not  require,  nor  encourage  labor 
on  Sunday.  But  these  words,  ^'' and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Postmaster,  at  all  reasonable  hours,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to 
deliver,  on  demand,  any  letter,  paper,  or  packet  to  the  person  eiiti- 
tled  to  or  authorized  to  receive  the  same^''  ought,  without  delay, 
to  be  repealed.  It  is  requiring  them  to  do  what  they,  probably, 
for  the  present  at  least,  would  not  do  were  this  clause  repealed  ; 
and  what  is  against  the  laws  of  many  of  the  states,  and  the  law 
of  God,  if  not  against  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

It  should  be  particularly  observed  that  this  clause  does  not 
touch  the  carrying  and  changing  the  mail.  It  relates  only  to 
the  delivery  of  letters,  papers,  &c.,  at  the  different  Postofiices. 
And  your  petitioner  does  not  ask  Congress  to  forbid  the  delivery 
of  letters,  papers,  &c.,  on  Sunday;  or  to  say  any  thing  about  it. 
Congress,  in  this  section,  says,  every  Postmaster  shall  keep  an 
office,  attend  on  every  day  on  which  a  mail-bag,  &c.,  shall  arrive, 
by  land  or  water,  as  well  as  on  other  days,  at  such  hours  as  the 
Postmaster-General  shall  direct,  for  the  purpose  of  performing 
the  duties  thereof,  viz:  the  delivery  of  letters,  &c.,  as  well  as 


84  THE   SABBATH. 

opening  mail  bags.  Does  any  man  want  more  than  this  to  in- 
sure the  delivery  of  his  letters  on  Sunday,  if  required? 

The  clause  to  be  repealed  is  not  only  unnecessary,  but  seems  to 
clash  with  the  rest  of  the  section.  For,  first,  Congress  gives  the 
Postmaster-General  full  power  to  say  how  many  hours  in  a  day 
his  deputies  shall  attend  at  their  offices;  and,  in  the  clause 
to  be  repealed,  they  say  to  the  deputies,  "  at  all  reasonable 
hours,"  Suppose  the  parties  should  disagree  about  ^^  reasonable 
hours  ?"  It  might  be  asked,  why  did  Congress  think  it  necessary 
to  make  a  law  compelling  deputy  Postmasters,  and  not  the  mail 
contractors,  carriers,  and  drivers,  to  labor  on  Sunday  ?  The  same 
power  is  given  to  the  Postmaster-General,  touching  the  delivery 
of  letters,  papers,  &c.,  without  this  clause,  that  is  given  him  in 
the  case  of  sending  the  mail  (as  he. does)  through  all  parts  of  the 
land,  as  often  as  he  may  think  best.  And  does  he  find  any  diffi- 
culty in  obtaining  men  to  carry  and  change  the  mail  on  Sunday, 
though  Congress  has  made  no  law  requiring  the  mail  contractor 
and  mail  carrier  to  obey  the  instructions  of  the  Postmaster-Gen- 
eral ?  And  have  those  who  wish  the  mail  distributed  reason  to 
believe,  if  this  clause  were  repealed,  the  deputy  Postmasters 
would,  from  conscientious  scruples,  refuse  to  deliver  letters,  &c., 
on  Sunday,  after  they  had  changed  the  mail  on  that  day  ?  and, 
also,  that  the  Postmaster-General  could  not  obtain  men  for  the 
diiferent  offices  who  would  obey  his  instructions,  as  readily  as  he 
does  mail  contractors,  carriers,  &;c.  ?  Now,  the  mail  is  carried 
and  changed  on  that  day,  without  any  law  requiring  it  ;  and  the 
same,  doubtless,  would  be  true  respecting  the  delivery  oileXXexs^ 
&c.,  though  the  clause  were  repealed  ;  provided  the  Postmaster- 
General  should  continue,  to  his  deputies,  the  instructions  already 
given. 

And  why  need  any  person  object  to  the  repeal  of  the  clause 
specified  ?  Certainly  no  one  need.  But  it  is  to  be  feared  that 
those  who  would  destroy  the  Sabbath  and  the  Christian  religion^ 
(and  consequently  our  republican  institutions,)  will  object.  Yet 
it  is  ardently  hoped,  since  they  would  not  be  unfavorably  aff'ected 
were  the  prayer  of  the  petition  granted,  that  they  will  consent 
to  its  repeal,  and  thereby  gratify  hundreds,  and  hundreds  of  thou- 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  85 

sands  of  their  fellow  citizens,  no  less  anxious  for  the  prosperity 
of  OUT  country  than  themselves. 

The  Postmaster-General,  following  the  steps  of  his  prede- 
cessors, has  already  assumed  the  responsibility  of  directing  the 
mail  to  be  carried^  and  changed,  and  delivered^  on  Sunday,  and 
it  is  presumed  that  he  will  not  insist  on  retaining  this  clause  on 
his  account.  Neither  is  it  believed  that  he  will  say  it  is  at  all 
necessary  ^in  order  to  the  delivery  of  letters,  papers,  &c.,  on  every 
day  of  the  week,  and  at  such  hours  as  he  shall  think  proper  to 
direct. 

My  anxiety  on  this  subject  is  very  great ;  and  I  am  admon- 
ished by  declining  health  that  this  may  be  my  last  appeal  in 
behalf  of  this  institution.  And  must  I  be  carried  from  time,  so 
long  as  this  clause  remains  among  the  laws  of  our  country, 
blazing  its  absurdities  over  all  Christendom,  and  soliciting  di- 
vine judgments  ?  It  seems  to  me  that  I  cannot.  Why  cannot 
even  those  in  favor  of  Sunday  mails,  since  this  clause  is  unne- 
cessary, and  since  so  many  respectable  citizens  desire  its  repeal, 
grant  the  request  of  the  petitioner  on  these  grounds,  if  on  no 
other ;  avowing,  at  the  same  time,  if  they  choose,  their  prefer- 
ences in  the  case  ? 

Repeal  this  clause,  and  Congress  would  compel  no  man  to 
labor  on  Sunday.  If  labor  were  done  on  that  day,  it  would  be 
the  act  of  an  individual ;  and  the  shield  now  around  the  Sab- 
bath-breaker, rendering  him  invulnerable  to  all  appeal,  would 
be  broken  ;  for  no  man  could  then  say  to  those  wishing  to  create 
a  correct  public  sentiment,  "  the  supreme  law  of  the  land  requires 
labor  to  be  done  on  Sunday,  and  the  Bible  says,  be  subject  to  the 
powers  that  be.  Therefore,  I  am  justified  in  breaking  the  fourth 
commandment."  And  this  nation  must  answer  for  the  evil 
done.  Repealing  this  law  will  not  close  a  single  Post  office  on 
that  day,  unless  the  Postmaster-General  and  the  people  require 
it.  The  voice  of  the  people,  from  time  to  time,  through  their 
President,  who  appoints  the  Postmaster-General,  will  control  this 
thing ;  for  like  people,  like  President ;  like  President,  like  Post- 
master-General ;  and  Congress  having,  by  law,  secured  the  free 
and  unobstructed  passage  of  the  mail  through  the  several  States ; 
the  Postmaster-General,  having  all  the  power  to  determine 
8 


86  THE  SABBATH. 

hovj  often  the  mail  shall  go,  and  at  what  hours  in  a  day  each 
Postmaster  shall  attend  at  his  office,  for  the  performance  of  the 
duties  thereof;  and  as  there  are  men  who  are  willing  to  labor  on 
Sunday  in  that  department,  it  is  easy  to  see  that  there  must  be 
a  change  in  his  feelings  and  conduct,  before  there  would  be  any 
change  in  regard  to  the  mails,  or  the  management  of  the  differ- 
ent Postoffices,  though  this  clause  were  repealed.  I  wish  the 
repeal  of  this  clause  for  the  reasons  already  given,  and  because 
it  appears  to  be  the  mainspring  of  the  evil. 

It  stands  in  the  way  of  all  reform,  and  is  construed  as  a  license 
for  all  other  kinds  of  labor,  public  and  private,  which  companies 
or  individuals,  supremely  worldly  and  selfish,  choose  to  perform. 

And  this  evil  can  scarcely  be  lessened,  much  less  eradicated, 
while  this  clause  stands  unrepealed.  And  who  will  object  to 
granting  the  request  of  this  petition,  since  it  will  not  affect,  in 
the  least,  his  interest  in  the  matter  of  Sunday  mails  ?  For,  I 
repeat,  the  repeal  of  this  law  will  not  directly  effect  the  carry- 
ing or  stopping,  and  opening  and  delivering,  the  mail  on  that 
day.  All  this  would  then,  as  now,  be  in  the  power  of  the  Post- 
master-General, appointed  by  the  President,  and  he  by  the  peo- 
ple. So  that  the  people  will  determine  the  whole  of  this  matter, 
as  they  should  be  left  to  do,  without  any  law  of  Congress  about  it. 

What  can  do  more  to  blot  out  the  light  of  that  day  than  na- 
tional law  requiring  its  profanation,  national  example  in  its 
judges,  rulers,  and  lawgivers  ?  Let  Congress  now  repeal  this 
clause,  and  it  will  greatly  aid  in  redeeming  that  institution  from 
the  disrepute  into  which  it  has  undeservedly  fallen.  But  let 
them  refuse,  and  another  blow  is  struck,  which  will  tend  to 
throw  this  nation  into  anarchy  and  confusion,  natural  and  una- 
voidable consequences  of  forgetting  God,  and  profaning  the 
Sabbath. 

Pious  Members. 

Many  members  of  this  body,  if  not  all  of  them,  believe  in  the 
divine  appointment  of  the  Christian  Sabbath.  And  some  of 
them  have  solemnly  covenanted,  in  the  presence  of  God,  men, 
and  angels,  to  keep  holy  that  day,  and  do  all  they  can  to  pro- 
mote its  observance.     They  have  looked  on  this  subject  not  only 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  87 

as  patriots  and  philanthropists,  but  as  Christians.  Here  is  a 
three-fold  cord  drawing  them  to  its  careful  consideration;  and 
surely,  now  it  is  presented,  they  cannot  be  silent  spectators  in 
this  matter,  they  cannot  treat  with  indifference  any  proper  ef- 
fort made,  though  it  be  by  an  individual,  to  obtain  the  better 
observance  of  that  day ;  certainly  they  can?wt  lift  up  their  voice 
against  it.  Would  it  not  be  sin,  and  desertion,  and  treason  so  to 
do  ?  As  well  be  silent  if  a  law  promoting  blasphemy,  and  theft, 
and  idolatry  existed;  quite  as  well,  though  the  ill  eflfects  might 
not  be,  in  this  case,  so  sudden  and  perceptible,  as  in  that. 

A  belief  that  a  majority  of  Congress  are  in  favor  of  this  law, 
as  it  now  stands,  should  not  prevent  every  lawful  and  honorable 
means,  on  the  part  of  those  opposed  to  it,  to  obtain  its  repeal. 
For  this  institution  may  have  more  friends  in  Congress,  and  a 
love  of  consistency  and  right-doing  a  greater  influence  here, 
than  may  at  first  be  imagined.  And  let  it  not  be  supposed  that 
God  will  long  suffer  his  day  thus  to  be  trampled  upon  by  a  peo- 
ple favored  as  we  are.  He  will  not,  with  impunity,  suffer  this 
or  any  other  nation  to  blot  out  one  of  the  commands  of  the  de- 
calogue, especially  the  one  on  which,  more  than  on  any  other, 
depends  the  existence  of  his  religion.  No,  God  can  never  give 
up  his  Sabbath,  though  it  cost  the  heart's  blood  of  this  nation  to 
preserve  it.  His  judgments  may  be  deferred,  but  they  will  be 
none  the  less  certain. 

In  despotic  governments,  and  some  that  are  somewhat  demo- 
cratic, the  people  may  continue  to  enjoy  a  kind  of  prosperity, 
though  they  break  the  Sabbath.  But  who,  tha^  he  might  longer 
continue  to  pollute  that  day,  would  prefer  their  servile  condi- 
tion to  our  right  of  thinking  and  acting  for  ourselves  ? 

Laws. 

Giving  the  authority  above  referred  to.  "  He  (Postmaster- 
General)  shall  provide  for  the  carriage  of  the  mail  on  all  post- 
roads  that  are  or  may  be  established  by  law,  and  as  often  as  he, 
having  regard  to  the  productiveness  thereof,  and  other  circum- 
stances, shall  think  proper."  (Sec.  1st  in  the  act  regulating  the 
Postoffice  establishment  in  1810.) 

Also  in  section  7th,  "  That  if  any  person  shall  knowingly  and 


88  THE    SABBATH. 

wilfully  obstruct  or  retard  the  passage  of  the  mail,  or  of  any 
driver,  or  carrier,  or  of  any  horse  or  carriage  carrying  the  same, 
he  shall,  upon  conviction,  for  every  such  offence,  pay  a  fine  not 
exceeding  $100."  This  clause  secures  the  free  passage  of  the 
mail  on  Sundays,  if  the  Postmaster-General  is  disposed  to  send 
it,  unless  some  of  the  States  should  claim  the  right  secured  to 
them  by  the  Constitution,  article  4th,  sec.  4,  which  is  as  follows : 
"  The  United  States  shall  guaranty  to  every  State  in  this  Union 
a  republican  form  of  government,  and  shall  protect  each  of  them 
against  innovation,"  &c.  Here  we  see  that  each  State  has  a 
right  to  make  and  administer  her  own  laws,  provided  they  do 
not  contravene  the  Constitution,  or  the  laws  of  the  United  States, 
made  in  pursuance  of  it.  No  law,  really  promotive  of  the  pub- 
lic good,  will  ever  be  opposed  by  consistent  Christians. 

Will  Congress,  when  the  Constitution  guaranties  to  each 
State  the  right  to  make  her  own  laws,  provided  they  are  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  supreme  law  of  the  land,  refuse  to  repeal  a 
clause,  abridging  that  right  ?  If  so,  is  there  any  security  that, 
by  and  by,  "  test  acts"  will  not  be  multiplied,  until,  like  Daniel, 
the  religious  man  must  violate  the  dictates  of  his  conscience,  or 
abandon  every  office  under  the  Government  ?  As  the  Postoffice 
Department  is  now  managed,  no  consistent  Christian  can  parti- 
cipate in  its  duties  and  emoluments.  And,  with  that  clause  re- 
maining, all  have  not  equal  rights.  The  irreligious  man  is 
aided,  and  the  religious  man  excluded,  voluntarily,  it  is  admitted, 
for  they  rather  obey  God  than  man. 

Among  the  amendments  to  the  Constitution,  and  equally  bind- 
ing, is  the  following :  Article  1st,  "  Congress  shall  make  no  law 
respecting  an  establisliment  of  religion,  or  prohibit  the  free  ex- 
ercise thereof"  Now  place  by  the  side  of  this  and  the  other 
acts  quoted  above,  the  clause,  "  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Postmaster,  at  all  reasonable  hours,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to 
deliver,  on  demand,  any  letter,  or  paper,  or  packet,  to  the  person 
entitled  to,  or  authorized  to  receive  the  same,"  and  see  whether 
they  are  consistent  with  each  other ;  see  whether  the  conscien- 
tious Christian  can  be  a  Postmaster,  and  at  the  same  time  enjoy 
the  free  exercise  of  his  religion.  Can  he  enjoy  equally  with 
others  the  civil  benefits  of  his  country,  so  long  as  labor  is  re- 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  89 

quired  in  any  of  its  departments,  on  the  day  forbidden  by  his 
religion  ? 

If  Congress  has  a  right  to  require  such  labor,  can  it  not  re- 
quire many  other  things  contrary  to  the  Christian  religion — as 
that  every  member  of  Congress,  of  the  executive,  and  every  offi- 
cer of  the  General  Government,  shall,  on  every  day  of  the  week, 
attend  to  the  duties  of  his  appointment,  until  every  Christian 
shall  be  excluded  from  office  ?  But  would  not  such  laws  pro- 
hibit the  free  exercise  of  religion,  and  be  unequal,  and  unconsti- 
tutional? Would  not  this  be  as  effectual  a  "religious  test"  as 
to  require  a  belief  in  a  particular  system  of  religion  as  a  quali- 
fication for  office  ?  It  is  by  such  laws,  (and  the  one  complained 
of,)  that  "  Church  and  State"  are  unlawfully  united.  There  is 
a  union,  approved  of  God  and  beneficial  to  men.  But  it  consists 
not  in  legislating  for  or  against  true  religion,  but  in  accordance 
ivith  it.     It  is  hoped  Congress  will  legislate  in  no  other  way. 

Acts  Repealed. 

When  the  act  of  1810  was  passed,  most  of  the  former  laws  on 
this  subject  were  repealed,  among  which  are  the  following: 
"  The  Postmaster-General  shall  provide  for  carrying  the  mail  on 
all  post-roads  that  are,  or  may  be,  established  by  law,  and  as 
often  as  he,  having  regard  to  the  productiveness  thereof,  and 
other  circumstances,  shall  think  proper."  So  far  it  is  similar  to 
the  act  of  1810.  But  the  duty  required  of  deputy  Postmasters 
at  that  time,  1779,  up  to  April,  1810,  was  different  from  that 
required  of  them  now.  Hear  it.  "  The  Postmaster  shall  keep 
an  office  in  which  one  or  more  persons  shall  attend,  at  such 
hours  as  the  Postmaster-General  shall  direct,  for  the  purpose  of 
performing  the  duties  thereof"  We  also  find  Congress  enacting 
laws  on  this  subject,  February  20, 1792,  May  8, 1794,  and  March 
2,  1799,  in  each  of  which  they  say,  "  that  every  deputy  Post- 
master shall  keep  an  office,  in  which  one  or  more  persons  shall 
attend,  at  such  hours  as  the  Postmaster-General  shall  direct,  for 
the  purpose  of  performing  the  duties  thereof"  And  here  they 
left  the  matter  to  the  further  direction  of  the  Postmaster-Gen- 
eral, instead  oi  requiring  them  to  keep  their  office  open,  &c.,  on 
Sunday.  And  why  should  the  Congresses  of  1810  and  1825  re- 
8* 


90  THE   SABBATH. 

quire  labor  on  Sunday  in  that  department  ?  Were  they  wiser 
and  better  than  all  past  Congresses  and  the  Constitution  ?  I 
cannot  find  any  authority  in  the  Constitution  for  requiring  labor 
on  Sunday ;  but,  from  the  acts  quoted  above,  is  it  not  most  ap- 
parent that  there  is  much  against  it  ?  Surely  that  instrument 
would  not  allow  a  Sabbath  for  the  President,  the  United  States' 
Court,  (and  Congress  takes  one  for  themselves,)  and  deny  one  to 
those  employed  in  a  most  important  department  of  Government. 
But  if  the  clause  complained  of  be  not  a  violation  of  that  instru- 
ment, certainly,  taking  the  practice  of  early  Congresses  as  a 
criterion  by  which  to  judge,  it  is  inexpedient  and  unchristian.  It 
is  against  the  constitution  of  Heaven.  And  what  people  ever 
prospered,  legislating  against  God  ? 

In  conclusion,  therefore,  I  ask  for  the  repeal  of  the  clause 
above  specified,  because  it  is  unequal,  (keeping  in  mind  the 
Christian  religion  and  those  who  keep  the  Lord's  day,  for  such, 
and  only  such,  have  been  recognized  in  the  Constitution,  and  by 
all  subsequent  Congresses  ;)  because  it  is  against  the  best  inte- 
rests of  your  constituents ;  because  it  is  unnecessary ;  because  it 
is  believed  to  be  against  the  spirit^  if  not  the  letter  of  the  con- 
stitution ;  and  because  it  is  unchristian,  and  renders  this  nation 
obnoxious  to  the  severest  judgments  of  Almighty  God.  And  I 
cannot  believe  that  I  am  asking  what  Congress  does  not  wish 
were  already  done. 

But,  should  not  this  prayer  be  granted,  let  it  be  placed  among 
the  archives  of  this  nation,  as  a  standing  memorial  to  each  suc- 
ceeding Congress  against  every  law  requiring  or  encouraging 
labor  on  the  Christian  Sabbath. 

HARMON  KINGSBURY. 

Washington  City,  D.  C,    > 
December  5,  1837.  S 


SUNDAY   MAILS.  91 


APPENDIX 

To  Harmon  Kingsburyh  petition  to  Congress,  presented  Decem- 
ber 12, 1837,  praying  the  repeal  of  that  part  of  an  act  of  Con- 
gress, regulating  the  Postoffi.ce  Department,  which  is  in  these 
words,  viz :  "  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Postmaster,  at  all 
reasonable  hours,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  to  deliver,  on  de- 
mand, any  letter,  paper,  or  packet,  to  the  person  entitled  to,  or 
authorized  to  receive  the  same^ 

The  object  of  this  appendix  is  to  adduce  facts  and  reasons 
which  have,  subsequent  to  the  petition,  come  to  the  author's 
notice,  showing,  it  is  thought,  most  conclusively,  that  this  nation 
has  adopted  the  Christian,  instead  of  the  Jewish,  Mohammedan, 
Pagan,  or  infidel  religion,  and  also  that  the  law  compelling  Post- 
masters to  violate  the  Sabbath  is  impolitic,  unconstitutional,  and 
unjust,  and  ought  to  be  repealed. 

The  law  is  impolitic,  because  a  very  large  majority  of  the 
people  of  these  United  States  acknowledge  the  authority  of  the 
Christian  Scriptures,  and  recognize  the  decalogue  as  the  moral 
law  of  God.  This  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  there  are,  it  is 
said,  more  than  two  millions  of  communicants  of  evangelical 
churches,  and  if  we  may  be  allowed  to  add  an  equal  number  as 
stated  hearers  and  supporters  of  the  gospel,  there  is  in  this  Union 
a  large  majority  of  the  adult  population  on  the  side  of  Chris- 
tianity. 

It  is  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  our  institutions,  and  exceedingly 
impolitic,  for  the  representatives  of  a  people  to  legislate  against 
the  will  of  the  majority,  and  more  especially  when  that  will  is 
unquestionably  on  the  side  of  order,  religion,  and  law.  It  is  not 
believed  that  Congress  intended  to  abolish  the  Sabbath  by  this 
law.  Perhaps  it  was  passed  without  due  consideration  of  its 
bearing  upon  that  institution.  This  has  been  intimated  by  a 
member  of  the  Congress  which  passed  the  law.  But  still  it  is 
evidently  a  direct  attack  upon  the  Sabbath,  a  contradiction  of  all 
previous  legislation,  and  opposed  to  the  opinions  of  two- thirds  of 
the  most  intelligent  citizens  of  these  United  States.  Nor  will  it 
be  denied  that  this  is  a  fair  representation  of  public  opinion, 


92  THE   SABBATH. 

when  it  is  considered  that  more  than  twenty  of  the  States  have 
protected  the  Sabbath  by  direct  legislation — which  wiU  be  no- 
ticed more  fully  hereafter. 

Petitions  in  1828  and  1829. 

During  the  agitation  of  the  Sabbath-mail  question,  some  ten 
years  since,  four  hundred  and  sixty-seven  petitions  from  friends 
of  the  Sabbath,  of  twenty-one  States,  were  presented  to  Con- 
gress. The  following  extract  from  the  honorable  Mr.  McKean's 
report  to  the  House,  will  show  what  he  thought  of  the  petition- 
ers, and  of  the  voice  of  public  sentiment,  at  that  time,  viz : 
"  The  memorials  on  this  subject,  on  account  of  the  numerous 
sources  from  which  they  have  been  received,  the  number  and 
respectability  of  the  signatures,  as  well  as  the  intrinsic  import- 
ance of  the  question  involved,  require  from  the  committee  and 
the  Legislature  the  most  deliberate  and  respectful  consideration. 
It  is  believed  that  the  history  of  legislation  in  this  country  affords 
no  instance  in  which  a  stronger  expression  has  been  made,  if 
regard  be  had  to  numbers,  the  wealth,  or  the  intelligence  of  the 
petitioners,"  And  this  report  closes  with  a  resolution  recom- 
mending Congress  to  repeal  the  very  clause  mentioned  above. 
It  cannot  with  any  propriety  be  contended  that  the  history  of 
those  transactions  cannot  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  question 
now  under  consideration.  Those  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of  this 
clause  at  that  time,  can  be  no  less  in  favor  of  it  at  the  present 
time.  For  many  of  those  petitioners  asked  for  legislation  to 
prevent  the  mail  from  being  carried,  and  Postoffices  from  being 
opened,  on  Sunday,  as  well  as  the  repeal  of  the  law  complained 
of;  while  the  petition  referred  to  above  seeks  only  the  repeal  of 
the  clause  compelling  Postmasters  to  violate  the  fourth  com- 
mandment ;  leaving  the  rest  to  the  conscience  of  the  Postmas- 
ter-General and  the  voice  of  public  opinion.  Those  who  opposed 
the  passage  of  any  law  to  close  Postoffices  and  to  prevent  the 
transportation  of  the  mail  on  Sunday,  must,  to  be  consistent,  and 
in  accordance  with  their  reasoning,  sustain  the  repealing  of  a 
law  compelling  any  officer  of  the  United  States  to  desecrate  that 
day.  Among  these  petitioners  were  some  of  the  first  men  in 
this  nation. 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  93 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  last  war,  numerous  petitions  in 
relation  to  this  law,  from  west  as  well  as  east  of  the  mountains, 
were  sent  to  Congress.  They  called  out  a  respectful  report 
from  the  Postmaster-General,  hut  resulted  in  nothing  more.  The 
whole  history  of  this  subject  shows  that  the  Christian  commu- 
nity have  never  acquiesced  in  this  irreligious  legislation :  and 
although  there  are  a  few  men  who  would  gladly  see  the  Lord's 
day  desecrated  by  law,  yet  it  is  confidently  believed,  were  the 
question,  Sabbath  or  no  Sabbath,  fairly  presented  to  this  republic, 
that  a  most  overwhelming  preponderance  in  its  favor  would  be 
the  result. 

Other  facts  may  serve  to  indicate  public  sentiment,  as  it  at 
present  exists  on  this  subject.  And  may  it  not  be  presumed, 
that  in  every  portion  of  this  country,  similar  expressions  have 
been  made,  though  they  have  not  fallen  under  the  immediate 
inspection  of  the  author?  The  following  memorial  was  circu- 
lated about  a  year  since  in  the  western  part  of  New  York  and 
the  northern  part  of  Ohio  ;  and  obtained  the  signatures  of  a 
large  majority  of  the  business  men,  in  every  place  to  which  it 
was  sent. 

"  To  the  Forwarders  on  the  Erie  Canal : 

"  Gentlemen — The  object  of  this  memorial  is  respectfully  to 
present  to  your  attention  the  subject  of  the  observance  of  the 
Sabbath.  Being  engaged  in  such  branches  of  business  as  re- 
quire the  transportation  of  our  property  upon  the  Erie  canal,  we 
have  often  been  induced  to  reflect  upon  the  general  subject  re- 
specting which  this  memorial  is  submitted.  And  upon  such 
occasions,  our  minds  have,  from  the  situation  which  you  occupy, 
beerrvery  naturally  directed  towards  yourselves. 

"  We  do  not  present  ourselves  as  theologians,  but  as  philan- 
thropists and  citizens.  Although  we  acknowledge  the  Sabbath 
as  a  divine  institution,  yet  it  is  not  in  this  light  that  it  is  placed 
before  your  minds.  Humanity  and  patriotism  advance  motives 
full  of  interest  and  eloquence. 

"  An  examination  of  the  constitution  of  man  shows  that  he 
needs  just  such  an  institution  as  the  Sabbath.  He  is  a  physical 
being ;  and  it  is  impossible  for  the  animal  machine  to  continue 


94  THE    SABBATH. 

in  constant  operation  without  injury,  a  period  of  rest  being  ne- 
cessary to  recruit  its  wasted  energies.  He  is  an  intellectual 
being;  and  if  the  body  be  constantly  employed,  the  mind  must 
be  neglected.  He  is  a  moral  being ;  and  having  a  soul  of  price- 
less value,  some  portion  of  time  is  essential  to  attend  to  its  in- 
terests. The  body,  the  intellect,  the  soul,  all  demand  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Sabbath. 

"  Fully  believing  man  to  be  thus  constituted,  and  needing  a 
weekly  cessation  from  the  ordinary  pursuits  of  life,  sympathy 
induces  us  to  commiserate  those  whose  employment  leads  them 
to  neglect  this  necessary  repose.  They  are  our  fellow-creatures. 
Their  and  our  physical,  mental,  and  moral  powers  need  the 
Sabbath.  It  is  thus,  gentlemen,  with  yourselves.  We  are, 
therefore,  only  striking  upon  a  cord  that  binds  them  and  you 
and  ourselves  closely  together.  It  is  the  voice  of  humanity,  that 
asks  rest  every  seventh  day  for  the  waterman. 

"  The  welfare  of  our  country  is  deeply  affected  by  this  subject. 
An  unintelligent  and  immoral  population  will  spread  desolation 
throughout  a  Republican  Government.  Where  the  sword  or 
the  bayonet  is  the  umpire,  there  ignorance  may  prevail,  and  the 
nation's  existence  continue.  But  our  perpetuity  as  a  race  of  free- 
men rests  upon  intelligence  and  morality.  Sweep  these  away, 
and  wrecked  are  our  republic,  our  peace,  and  our  prosperity. 

"  But  the  plan  of  neglecting  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  as 
is  practised  upon  the  Erie  canal,  tends,  so  far  as  it  goes,  to  foster 
ignorance  and  immorality.  If  every  seventh  day  were  devoted 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  mind,  one  whole  year  of  mental  im- 
provement would  be  enjoyed  in  every  seven  years.  If  the  same 
period  were  occupied  in  the  study  of  moral  obligation,  a  similar 
amount  of  time  would  be  employed  in  learning  to  become  a  bet- 
ter man  and  a  more  useful  citizen.  But  the  present  system  of 
Sabbath  transportation,  so  far  as  it  extends,  prevents  the  enjoy- 
ment of  such  advantages. 

"  But  it  is  not  our  intention  to  enter  into  an  extended  argu- 
ment. We  ask,  for  the  sake  of  humanity,  and  for  the  welfare 
of  our  country,  a  candid  consideration  of  this  subject. 

"  In  addition  to  these  views,  we  feel  bound  to  obviate  an  ob- 
jection, which  has  been  and  may  again  be  based  upon  ourselves. 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  95 

It  is  said  that  business  men  demand  the  transportation  of  their 
property  upon  the  Sabbath.  We,  however,  wish  to  be  considered 
as  exceptions.  We  do  distinctly  declare  our  preferences  for  a 
different  course.  And  we  will  heartily  rejoice,  if  you  should  de- 
termine to  abandon  the  present  plan,  and  require  those  in  your 
employ  to  rest  upon  the  Sabbath." 

At  one  of  the  most  commercial  points  in  northern  Ohio,  about 
one  hundred  and  sixty  signatures  were  obtained  to  a  similar  pa- 
per, including  almost  every  business  man  in  the  city. 

Opinions  of  Public  Bodies. 

At  the  anniversary  of  the  American  Bethel  Society,  held  at 
Buffalo,  June,  1838,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously 
adopted : — 

"  1.  Resolved,  That  the  rescue  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  from 
the  desecration  which  is  almost  universal  upon  our  inland  waters, 
is  an  object  of  immense  importance  to  the  American  Bethel  So- 
ciety, upon  the  success  of  which  depends  the  great  design  of  our 
organization,  the  moral  and  religious  elevation  of  sailors  and 
boatmen. 

"  2.  Resolved,  That  we  view  the  act  of  Congress,  imposing  as 
a  duty  on  Postmasters  the  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  by  requiring 
them  to  deliver  letters,  papers,  &c.,  on  every  day  of  the  week,  as 
a  violation  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  contrary  to  the  spirit  of 
our  institutions,  opposed  to  the  laws  of  most  of  the  states  in  this 
Union  touching  the  Sabbath,  and  is  in  the  way  of  all  attempts  to 
rescue  the  day  from  desecration,  because  it  demands  what  God 
has  expressly  prohibited,  and  what  no  Christian  can,  with  a 
good  conscience,  perform;  and  encom-ages  individuals  and  com- 
panies to  persist  in  a  sin  which  is  the  source  of  the  degradation 
and  immorality  which  we  seek  to  remove. 

"  3.  Resolved,  That  this  law  ought  to  be  forthwith  repealed. 

"  4.  Resolved,  That  we  will  endeavor  to  persuade  our  fellow- 
citizens  to  refrain  from  their  business  operations  on  our  lakes, 
rivers,  canals,  and  rail-roads  on  the  Lord's  day. 

"  5.  Resolved,  That  if  the  friends  of  the  Sabbath  would  al- 
ways give  a  preference  to  those  lines  of  conveyances  which  rest 
on  that  day,  it  would  have  a  powerful  influence  in  changing  a 


96  THE    SABBATH. 

practice  which,  if  contiaued,  must  unavoidably  prove  our  de- 
struction. 

"  6.  Resolved,  That  ministers,  and  editors,  and  private  Chris- 
tians ought  more  frequently  and  faithfully  to  remonstrate  against 
the  practice  of  running  boats,  stages,  and  rail-road  cars,  of  carry- 
ing, opening,  and  delivering  the  mail  on  Sunday — acts  offensive 
to  God,  and  prejudicial  to  the  best  interests  of  the  employer,  as 
well  as  the  employed. 

"  7.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  church  to  watch 
over  its  members  with  constant  and  increasing  care,  that  no  one 
of  them  who  desecrates  or  causes  the  desecration  of  the  Sab- 
bath may  be  allowed  to  escape  the  censure  which  such  unchris- 
tian conduct  deserves. 

"  8.  Resolved,  That  Rev.  Messrs.  Lord,  Hopkins,  and  May  be 
a  committee  to  correspond  with  the  friends  of  the  Sabbath  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country,  and  devise  ways  and  means  more  ef- 
fectually to  secure  the  object  of  these  resolutions." 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  at  Pitts- 
burgh, in  1836,  passed  unanimously  a  preamble  and  resolutions, 
from  which  the  following  are  extracts  : — 

"  The  rest  of  the  Sabbath  is  the  only  wise  and  adequate  pro- 
vision for  the  wants  of  the  animal  system.  The  influence  of  the 
Sabbath  can  alone  be  relied  on  to  sustain  our  free  institutions,  to 
extend  the  empire  of  law,  to  preserve  domestic  order  and  happi- 
ness, and  to  continue  the  bare  existence  of  morality  and  religion 
in  the  world.  The  abandonment  of  the  Sabbath  is,  therefore, 
nothing  less  than  resigning  all  that  is  sacred  and  dear  to  a 
Christian  people,  for  time  and  for  eternity." 

The  fifth  resolution,  introduced  by  Dr.  Miller,  of  Princeton,  is 
as  follows: — 

"  Resolved,  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  General  Assembly, 
the  owners  of  stock  in  steamboats,  canals,  rail-roads,  &:c.,  which 
are  in  the  habit  of  violating  the  Sabbath,  are  lending  their  pro- 
perty and  their  influence  to  one  of  the  most  wide-spread,  alarm- 
ing, and  deplorable  systems  of  Sabbath  desecration  which  now 
grieves  the  hearts  of  the  pious,  and  disgraces  the  church  of  God ; 
and  that  it  be  respectfully  recommended  to  the  friends  of  the 
Lord's  day,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  establish  such  means  of  public 


SUNDAY  IMATLS.  97 

conveyance  as  shall  relieve  them  from  the  necessity,  under 
whicli  ihey  now  labor,  of  traveling,  at  any  time,  in  vehicles 
whicS.  habitually  violate  that  holy  day  ;  and  thus  prevent  them 
from  ni  any  way  being  partakers  in  other  men's  sins  in  this 
respe:'." 

Han  the  subject  of  the  petition  been  before  that  body,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  a  united  voice  in  favor  of  it  would  have  been 
given :  for  this  resolution,  in  spirit,  is  decidedly  against  the  law 
and  the  practice  which  desecrate  holy  time.  And  here  we  have 
the  voice  of  an  assembly  which  represents  at  least  eight  or  ten 
hundred  thousands  of  our  fellow-citizens. 

And  one  of  the  last  assemblies  of  the  same  church,  con- 
vened at  Philadelphia,  in  the  report  of  their  committee  on  the 
subjcL ;  of  Sabbath  desecration,  say,  "  Having  done  this,  the  next 
step  will  be  to  lift  up  a  united  voice  against  all  that  immoral  and 
oppressive  legislation,  behind  which  the  sin  of  Sabbath-breaking 
now  stands  securely  entrenched.  What  has  been  found  true  in 
the  temperance  reform  will  be  found  true  in  the  Sabbath  reform. 
The  sanction  of  law  must  be  removed  from  every  evil  which  you 
would  fain  frown  upon  and  exterminate." 

Kfew  individuals  in  that  body  thought  they  s\io\x\A  first  purify 
the  church,  but,  having  done  this,  all  admitted  their  obligation 
to  do  what  they  could  to  obtain  the  repeal  of  the  law  requiring 
labor  on  the  Lord's  day.  All  believed  such  a  law  to  be  impious, 
impolitic,  and  unjust. 

Baptist  Co7ivention. — Such  sentiments  as  the  following,  pre- 
sented to  the  Baptist  Convention  of  Ohio,  are  yearly  sent  forth 
from  almost  all  our  ecclesiastical  bodies : — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  present  alarming  desecration  of  the 
Christian  Sabbath  is  a  moral  evil,  rife  alike  with  every  danger  to 
the  church,  to  the  civil  institutions  of  our  country,  and  to  the 
world ;  and  that  this  convention  do  most  affectionately  recom- 
mend and  urge  upon  all  the  churches  the  duty  of  guarding,  with 
sacred  vigilance,  its  sanctity  and  moral  purity." 

Cleveland  Presbytery. — At  a   session    of  the    Presbytery  of 
Cleveland,  held  April  17th,  1838,  the  following  preamble  and 
9 


98  THE   SABBATH. 

resolutions  were  adopted,  and  are  hereby  submitted  for  publica- 
tion : — 

Whereas^  The  law  of  Congress,  requiring  Postmasters  to  de- 
liver letters,  papers,  &c.,  on  the  Sabbath,  is  against  the  law  of 
God^  and  exceedingly  prejudicial  to  the  religious  interests  of  the 
community  generally,  as  well  as  of  those  more  immediately  con- 
cerned ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  Congress  forthwith  to  repeal 
said  law. 

Resolved,  That  our  delegates  to  the  next  General  Assembly  be 
instructed  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  obtain  from  said  Assembly 
an  expression  against  said  law,  to  be  forwarded  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  our  clerk  furnish  such  delegates  and  the  edi- 
tor of  the  Cleveland  Observer  with  a  copy  of  the  foregoing. 
A  true  copy,  attested, 

Myron  Tracy,  Clerk:' 

At  a  Sabbath  meeting  at  Cleveland,  held  at  the  Baptist 
church,  pursuant  to  public  notice  given  in  the  different  churches, 
on  Sabbath  evening,  April  1, 1838,  Simeon  Ford,  Esq.  was  called 
to  the  chair,  and  Henry  Sexton  appointed  secretary. 

The  chairman  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  to  be  the  pro- 
motion and  sanctification  of  the  Christian  Sabbath. 

The  following  resolutions  were  read  and  sustained  by  the 
speakers,  and  all  but  one  passed  unanimously : — 

Resolved,  That  the  principles  of  God's  moral  government, 
contained  in  the  ten  commandments,  are  applicable  to  all  men,  in 
every  condition  and  relation  of  life ;  and  that  a  violation  of  those 
principles  is  as  perilous  to  nations  as  to  individuals. — Rev.  Mr. 
Tucker. 

Resolved,  That  the  Sabbath,  as  enjoined  by  the  law  of  God,  is 
necessary,  not  only  to  the  existence  and  perpetuity  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  and  the  success  of  all  efforts  to  spread  that  religion 
through  the  world,  but  to  the  permanence  and  utility  of  our  re- 
publican institutions. — Rev.  Mr.  Whiting. 

Resolved,  That  any  law,  or  any  mode  of  transacting  public 
business,  which  requires  or  involves  the  violation  of  the  Sabbath, 
is  inconsistent  with  the  public  good.-  Rev.  Mr.  Aikin. 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  99 

Resolved,  That  so  much  of  the  law  of  the  United  States, 
passed  April,  1810,  and  re-enacted  March,  1825,  as  requiresVost- 
masters  to  deliver  lettei-s,  papers,  &:c.,  on  Sunday,  is  contrary  to 
the  law  of  God,  and  consequently  detrimental  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  individuals  immediately  concerned ;  exceedingly  in- 
jurious to  the  nation,  as  a  public  example  of  impiety,  and  ought, 
without  delay,  to  be  repealed. — Woolsey  Wells,  Esq. 

Resolved,  That  the  friends  of  knowledge,  of  virtue,  of  refine- 
ment, and  of  the  peace,  good  order,  and  happiness  of  society,  are 
as  truly  bound,  in  consistency  with  their  principles,  as  the  reli- 
gious man,  to  exert  all  their  influence  for  a  strict  observance  of 
the  Sabbath. — Rev.  Mr.  Boyden. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and 
editors  of  religious  newspapers,  to  use  every  effort  in  their  ap- 
propriate spheres  to  promote  the  sanctification  of  the  Sabbath, 
by  showing  the  essential  importance  of  its  influence  to  the  wel- 
fare of  individuals  and  nations,  and  the  certainty,  derivable  from 
the  revealed  principles  of  God's  government,  that  a  public  and 
general  desecration  of  that  day  must  be  followed  by  exemplary 
and  fearful  judgments. — Rev.  Mr.  Kinsley. 

The  following  resolutions  were  read  and  passed  without  de- 
bate. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  it  is  the  duty 
of  ecclesiastical  bodies  immediately  to  express  to  the  committees 
on  Postoffices  and  post-roads,  and  through  them  to  Congress, 
their  unqualified  disapprobation  of  the  law  requiring  Postmas- 
ters to  deliver  letters  and  papers  on  Sunday. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  delegates  who  may 
attend  meetings  of  such  bodies,  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  procure 
and  forward  to  Congress  such  expressions  of  disapprobation. 

Simeon  Ford,  Chairman. 

Henry  Sexton,  Secretary. 

Opinions  of  Editors  of  Newspapers. 

But  one  sentiment  expressed  by  the  various  religious  and  po- 
litical editors,  touching  this  law,  (except  in  a  single  instance,) 
has  reached  the  author.  Extracts  from  several  of  them,  belong- 
ing to  seven  different  denominations,  and  representing  the  views 


100  THE    SABBATH. 

of  many  hundred  thousands  of  our  best  citizens,  are  given  below. 
It  is  not  probable  that  all  which  has  been  said  on  this  subject 
has  been  received ;  but  enough  has  been  seen  to  justify  the  as- 
sertion that  the  readers  of  the  religious  class  of  publications  are 
in  favor  of  granting  the  prayer  of  the  petition.  In  a  word,  all 
who  consider  the  Sabbath  essential  to  our  religious  and  political 
prosperity  seem  to  be  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of  said  law. 

"  We  designed  to  speak  on  this  subject  in  connection  with 
noticing  the  petition  of  Harmon  Kingsbury,  mentioned  in  the 
following  account  of  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  in  this  place 
on  Wednesday  last.  Our  present  limits,  however,  forbid  any 
thing  more  than  the  expression  of  our  full  and  hearty  concur- 
rence in  the  action  of  the  meeting,  and  our  conviction  that  no 
friend  of  our  republican  institutions,  resident  in  this  county,  would 
object  to  the  repeal  of  that  part  of  the  law  specified  in  Mr. 
Kingsbury's  petition,  while  our  good  citizens  generally,  would 
doubtless  regard  it  as  the  imperative  duty  of  Congress  to  make 
the  repeal." — Ohio  Atlas  and Elyria  Advertiser. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  persons  friendly  to  the  religious  observance 
of  the  Sabbath,  at  Elyria,  Lorain  County,  on  the  14th  of  March, 
1838,  the  petition  of  Harmon  Kingsbury,  of  Cleveland,  *  praying 
the  repeal  of  that  part  of  an  act  of  Congress  regulating  the  Post- 
office  Department,  which  re(/Mzres  Postmasters  to  deliver  letters, 
&c.,  on  the  Sabbath,'  was  read,  and  the  object  thereof  unani- 
mously approved. 

"  Whereupon  it  was 

"  Resolved,  That  the  law  is  a  bad  one,  and  ought  to  be  repeal- 
ed ;  and  we  would  earnestly  request  our  Representatives  in  Con- 
gress to  do  all  in  their  power  to  effect  its  repeal. 

"  Whereas,  we  have  learned,  with  satisfaction,  that  the  petition 
of  Mr.  Kingsbury  has  been  received  and  submitted,  in  both 
houses  of  Congress,  to  their  Standing  Committees  on  the  Post- 
office,  we  deem  it  our  duty  to  make  this  expression  of  our  feel- 
ings, and  very  much  desire  that  a  general  expression  of  the 
friends  of  the  Sabbath  might  go  out  and  reach  these  commit- 
tees, that  they  may  be  satisfied  that  the  law  is  disapproved  ex- 
tensively. J.  E.  Chaplin,  Chairman. 

L.  H.  Loss,  Secretary. '*'' 


SUNDAY   MAILS.  101 

"  We  have  commenced  publishing  today,  Mr.  Kingsbury's  pe- 
tition to  Congress,  to  abolish  so  much  of  the  Postoffice  law  as  re- 
quires Postmasters  to  deliver  letters  on  the  Sabbath.  We  are 
confident  that  but  very-  few,  if  any,  can  be  found  among  ourread- 
ers  who  would  be  opposed  to  this  measure.  The  request  is  a  rea- 
sonable one,  and  it  ought  to  be  granted.  Every  consideration, 
both  of  interest  and  of  duty,  is  for  it." — Cleveland  Observer. 

"  The  opening  of  the  Postoffice  on  the  Sabbath  is  another  gross 
profanation  of  holy  time ;  and  if  all  our  Postmasters  had  that 
regard  for  their  souls  or  for  the  Sabbath,  as  a  day  of  rest,  which 
they  ought  to  have,  they  would  in  a  body  remonstrate  against 
this  requisition.  It  deprives  them  of  the  relaxation  which  their 
Maker  designed  for  them,  and  which  the  Constitution  of  our 
General  Government  undoubtedly  intended  to  secure  for  public 
men.  He  who  trespasses  upon  the  Sabbath,  in  going  to  the 
Postoffice  on  that  day  for  purposes  of  business,  trespasses  also 
upon  the  rights,  and  wounds  the  soul  of  the  Postmaster.  We 
do  not  see  how  any  one  can  claim  to  be  a  friend  of  the  Sabbath, 
and  to  desire  that  all  should  enjoy  its  blessings,  who,  by  his 
own  example,  will  sanction  so  gross  a  violation  of  the  day." — 
Connecticut  Observer, 

"  The  law  in  question,  and  every  other  requiring  labor  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  directly  contravenes  the  express  and  solemn  enact- 
ment of  the  God  of  heaven.  Besides,  as  the  existing  law  obliges 
all  Postmasters  to  labor  on  the  Sabbath,  its  direct  efiect  is  to 
disqualify  every  man  for  that  office  who  has  scruples  of  con- 
science against  the  habitual  performance  of  common  labor  on 
that  day  of  which  Jehovah  has  said,  '  In  it  thou  shalt  do  no 
work.-  " — Auburn  Banner. 

"  We  regard  the  law,  as  it  now  stands,  not  only  as  a  national 
sin,  but  as  operating  unfairly  and  unequally,  in  exacting  from 
the  officers  connected  with  the  Postoffice  establishment  labor  on 
the  Sabbath,  which  is  given  as  a  day  of  rest  to  officers  in  the 
other  departments.  It  operates  injuriously,  also,  in  preventing 
many  conscientious  men  from  accepting  office,  one  of  the  re- 
quirements of  which  is  to  break  the  Sabbath,  while  it  throws, 
in  too  many  instances,  important  trusts  into  the  hands  of  the 
9* 


102  THE    SABBATH. 

unprincipled.  May  not  the  multiplied  cases  of  delinquency 
which  have  occurred  in  this  department  of  late  years  be  accounted 
for  on  this  principle  ?" — Presbyterian. 

"  We  believe  the  subject  (of  the  repeal)  is  of  immense  import- 
ance to  this  entire  nation.  We  cannot  think  for  a  moment  on 
the  dreadful  judgments  which  the  Bible  informs  us  once  fell  up- 
on other  nations  who  disregarded  the  holy  Sabbath,  without 
shuddering  in  fearful  anticipation  of  what  may  yet  befall  our 
own  country.  And  it  does  seem  to  us  that  the  welfare  of  the 
republic,  the  cause  of  suffering  humanity,  and  the  voice  of  God, 
call  for  a  repeal  of  the  law  above  named  ;  and  we  hope  it  will 
be  called  for  by  the  united  voice  of  this  whole  nation,  through 
the  length  and  breadth  of  this  land." — Zioii's  Watchman. 

"  The  law  of  God  establishing  the  Sabbath  was  enacted  at  the 
creation  of  man,  and  was  therefore  antecedent  to  the  Mosaic 
ceremonial  law.  At  the  giving  of  the  moral  (not  the  ceremo- 
nial) law,  this  precept  was  engrafted  into  the  moral  code  which 
Almighty  God  wrote  on  tables  of  stone.  At  this  time  it  was 
recognized  as  of  old  and  permanent  standing,  by  the  words  of 
introduction:  "Remember  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day." 
Our  Lord  in  the  Gospel  recognizes  the  Sabbath  in  as  plain  terms 
as  possible.  He  does  not  repeal  it  any  more  than  the  precepts 
respecting  swearing,  murder,  adulter)^,  &;c.  The  fourth  com- 
mandment, then,  stands  w4th  all  its  original  authority,  which 
no  man  or  body  of  men  have  any  right,  human  or  divine,  to  an- 
nul, break,  or  cause  to  be  annulled  or  broken,  without  incurring 
the  severest  penalty.  To  the  honor  of  God's  truth,  and  in  sub- 
mission to  his  law,  we  refer  to  the  fourth  commandment,  and 
acknowledge  its  moral  and  political  authority : 

"  Remember  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day,"  &c. 

"  Ever  since  mistaken  Christians  and  designing  infidels  s€t 
themselves  against  the  Sabbath,  in  Congressional  enactments 
and  otherwise,  the  tide  of  sin  has  been  setting  in  stronger,  so 
that  iniquity  has  obtained  a  decided  advantage,  and  the  cause 
of  religion  and  morals  has  received  very  great  checks.  We  be- 
lieve that  every  friend  to  good  order  ought  to  stand  up  in  defence 
of  the  fourth  commandment,  as  rigorously  as  he  does  for  th  e 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  103 

Other  commandments.  If  the  one  falls,  the  others  will  fall  with 
it.  Then  murder  and  misrule  will  overwhelm  the  land,  and 
mobs  and  violence  will  govern  it.  We  publish  the  following 
(Mr.  Kingsbury's)  petition  on  this  subject  with  great  cordiality." 
—  Western  Christian  Advocate. 

"  In  reference  to  Mr.  Kingsbury's  present  efforts,  we  deem  it  of 
very  great  importance  that  they  should  be  prosecuted  with  vig- 
or and  not  be  relinquished  until  the  object  is  gained,  and  for 
the  following  reasons : 

"  1.  In  the  first  place,  the  Government  would  lose  nothing  by 
granting  the  thing  prayed  for.  Just  as  many  letters,  papers, 
and  pamphlets  would  circulate  through  the  mail  as  though  the 
Postoffices  were  required  to  be  kept  open  on  the  Sabbath. 

"  2.  It  is  due  to  the  thousands  who  are  employed  in  the  Post- 
offices  throughout  the  coimtry  that  this  prayer  should  be  granted. 
These  persons  need  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath  as  much  as  others, 
and  would  be  as  glad  of  it.  They  would  all  doubtless  rejoice 
to  be  relieved  from  labor  one  day  in  seven,  and  not  a  few  of 
them  would  esteem  it  a  privilege  to  spend  the  day  in  a  manner 
more  congenial  with  the  dictates  of  their  consciences.  We  see 
not  why  every  Postmaster  in  the  land,  whether  religiously  or 
irreligiously  inclined,  should  not  hold  up  both  hands  for  the  repeal. 
And,  besides,  many  of  the  most  trustworthy  men  in  the  country 
are  absolutely  driven  from  the  service  of  the  Postoffice  Depart- 
ment by  their  conscientious  regard  for  the  claims  of  the  Sabbath» 
while  multitudes  of  others,  of  the  same  character,  are  prevented 
by  the  same  considerations  from  entering  it. 

"  3.  The  Government  owes  the  repeal  of  the  law  which  thus 
enjoins  the  violation  of  the  Sabbath  to  the  feelings  and  wishes 
of  a  large  proportion  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  embrac- 
ing, to  say  the  least,  as  much  intelligence,  patriotism,  and  moral 
worth,  as  is  to  be  found  in  any  other  equal  number  of  persons  in 
the  country,  if,  indeed,  an  equal  number  opposed  to  it  can  be 
found.  There  is  no  denomination  of  Christians,  at  least  none 
termed  evangelical,  whose  feelings  are  not  cruelly  set  at  naught 
by  this  law,  and  that,  too,  without  the  shadow  of  an  apology. 

"  4.  No  class  of  persons  in  community  can  give  any  valid  rea- 


104  THE  SABBATH. 

son  why  the  law  should  not  be  repealed.  None  will  be  injured 
by  it  in  their  pecuniary  interests.  The  petition  does  not  ask 
that  Postoffices  shall  not  be  opened  on  the  Sabbath  under  any 
circumstances,  let  the  emergency  be  as  it  may,  but  only  that 
men  shall  not  be  compelled  to  labor  on  the  Sabbath.  Nor  would 
violence  be  done  to  the  consciences  of  any  class  of  persons.  No 
person  would  be  thereby  compelled  to  do  any  thing  which  hurts 
his  conscience  in  the  least,  or  to  see  any  thing  done  which  would 
wound  his  moral  sensibility. 

"5.  Patriotism  demands  the  repeal  of  this  obnoxious  law. 
Who  doubts  that  the  blessings  of  free  government  are  enjoyed 
in  proportion  as  the  spirit  of  genuine  Christianity  prevails  ?  and 
that  this  is  what  makes  the  difference  between  the  governments 
of  Christian  and  pagan  countries,  and  also  between  the  govern- 
ments of  those  countries  for  which  Christianity  has  done  most 
and  those  for  which  she  has  done  least  ?  Nobody  doubts  it. 
Does  not  patriotism  demand,  then,  that  a  law  which  goes  to  sub- 
vert Christianity  should  be  repealed  ?  Christianity  cannot  exist 
without  the  Sabbath,  and  the  tendency  of  the  law  in  question 
is  to  destroy  the  latter,  and  thus,  indirectly,  the  former.  Love 
of  country,  then,  should  cry  aloud  for  its  repeal. 

"  6.  Consistency  demands  it.  We  are  not  a  nation  of  heathen, 
or  of  infidels.  As  a  nation,  we  profess  to  embrace  the  religion 
of  the  Bible,  so  far  that  we  choose  to  be  denominated  a  Christian 
country.  But  does  not  the  law  which  requires  men  to  do  busi- 
ness on  the  Sabbath  deny  this  ?  and  does  not  consistency,  there- 
fore, demand  its  repeal  ?" — Michigan  Observer. 

"  We  are  glad  to  perceive  that  a  petition  has  been  introduced 
before  Congress,  by  Harmon  Kingsbury,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
praying  the  repeal  of  that  part  of  an  act  of  Congress,  regulating 
the  Postoffice  Department,  which  requires  Postmasters  to  deliver 
letters^  <SfC.  on  Sunday.  That  act  reads  thus  :  "  And  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Postmaster,  at  all  reasonable  hours,  on  every  day 
of  the  week,  to  deliver,  on  demand,  any  letter,  paper,  or  packet, 
to  any  person,"  &;c. 

"  But  we  object  to  this  law,  because,  without  the  plea  of  neces- 
sity or  mercy,  it  requires  Postmasters  to  deliver  letters  on  any 
portion  of  the  Sabbath. 


SUNDAY  MAILS.  105 

"  It  is  inconsistent  tcith  the  liberty  of  conscience,  and  thus  with 
a  fundamental  principle  of  our  government.  It  requires  officers 
of  the  government  to  do,  what  the  professed  faith  of  ninety-nine 
hundredths  of  the  people  and  the  professed  principles  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States  condemn,  as  opposed  to  the 
law  of  God  and  the  best  interests  of  society. 

"  It  is  inconsistent  with  the  laws  and  usages  of  the  government. 
The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  exempts  the  President 
from  work  on  Sunday,  by  excepting  Sundays  from  the  ten  days 
within  which,  if  he  does  not  return  a  bill,  it  becomes  a  law- 
The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  is  forbidden,  by  law,  to 
do  business  on  Sunday.  Both  Houses  of  Congress  and  all  the 
public  officers  claim  the  privilege  of  abstinence  from  public  bu- 
siness on  the  Sabbath.  The  laws  regulating  the  army  and  navy 
and  the  Military  Academy  of  the  United  States  enjoin  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Sabbath,  and  attendance  upon  Divine  worship 
on  that  day. 

"  Congress  might,  with  as  much  propriety  and  right,  enact  a 
law  requiring  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  all  heads 
of  departments,  and  all  auditors  and  clerks ;  all  officers  and  men 
in  the  army  and  navy,  and  all  the  judges  of  the  courts  of  the 
United  States,  to  attend  to  their  usual  business  on  Sunday,  as  to 
maintain  the  present  law  requiring  unnecessary  labor  of  Post- 
masters on  the  Lord's  day. 

"  But  there  is  another  view  of  this  matter.  In  nearly  all,  if  not 
all  of  the  States,  there  are  laws  expressly  enjoining  the  keeping 
of  the  Sabbath,  or  else  declaring  "  the  duty  of  all  men  publicli/ 
and  at  stated  seasons^'  to  worship  God.  Every  where  the  Sab- 
bath is  the  stated  season  selected  for  public  worship.  Now,  let 
us  consider  the  law  of  Congress  as  to  Postmasters,  and  the  law 
of  Vermont,  for  example,  as  to  the  Sabbath.  The  latter  declares 
(see  Constitution  of  Vermont)  that  "  every  denomination  of 
Christians  ought  to  observe  the  Sabbath  or  Lord''s  day,  and  keep 
up  religious  wort  hip.''  In  Vermont,  however,  there  are  perhaps 
some  hundreds  of  persons  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  as 
Postmasters,  citizens  nevertheless  of  Vermont,  and  bound  by  its 
laws.  The  law  of  Congress  forbids  them  to  observe  the  Sab- 
bath, and  requires  them  to  abstain  from  public  worship,  for  the 


106  THE  SABBATH. 

purpose  of  beiog  ready,  at  all  reasonable  hours,  to  deliver  letters, 
&c.  The  law  of  their  own  State  declares  it  to  be  their  duty  to 
attend  public  worship,  and  keep  the  day  free  from  secular  work. 
Thus,  Congress  goes  into  "Vermont  and  forbids  her  citizens  to 
mind  her  laws. 

"  The  law  under  consideration  was  the  first  statute  enacted  by 
Congress,  requiring  a  violation  of  the  religion  of  the  land.  We 
charge  it  with  being  an  unauthorized  interference  with  that 
religion. 

' '  When  the  Constitution  provided  thart  Congress  should  pass  no 
law  establishing  religion,  it  surely  was  not  intended  to  vest  that 
body  with  the  right  to  pass  a  canon  desecrating  one  of  the  most 
sacred  institutions  of  the  religion  of  the  nation.  This  law  is 
against  religion.  It  does  not  leave  Christianity  in  the  same 
circumstances  as  before  it  was  passed.  It  is  a  legislative  inter- 
ference with  the  rights  of  conscience,  the  liberty  of  the  people, 
and  the  religion  which  lies  at  the  basis  of  their  civil  and  politi- 
cal institutions.  We  pray  our  legislators  to  review  the  farewell 
address  of  Washington,  unless  we  have  become  too  wise  to  be 
taught  by  such  a  teacher.  '  Of  all  the  dispositions  and  habits 
(says  Pater  Patrice)  which  lead  to  political  prosperity,  religion 
and  morality  are  indispensable  supports.  In  vain  would  that 
man  claim  the  tribute  of  patriotism,  who  should  labor  to  sub- 
vert these  firmest  props  of  the  duties  of  men  and  citizens.'  Let 
them  hear  another  of  the  men  of  olden  times.  Said  Franklin, 
in  the  Convention  that  formed  our  present  Constitution  :  '  The 
longer  I  live,  the  more  I  see  convincing  proofs  that  God  governs 
in  the  affairs  of  men  ;  and  if  a  sparrow  cannot  fall  to  the  ground 
without  his  notice,  is  it  probable  that  an  empire  can  rise  with- 
out his  aid  ?  We  have  been  assured  in  the  sacred  writings,  that 
except  the  Lord  build  the  house,  they  labor  in  vain  that  build  it ! 
I  firmly  believe  this;  and  I  also  believe,  that  without  his  con- 
curring aid,  we  shall  succeed  in  this  political  building  no  better 
than  the  builders  of  Babel ',  our  projects  will  be  confounded,  and 
we  ourselves  shall  become  a  reproach  and  a  by-word  down  to 
future  ages.'  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  rulers  !  '  Them 
that  honor  me  will  I  honor.'  '  If  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from 
the  Sabbath,  from  doing  my  pleasure  on  my  holy  day,  and  call 


SUNDAY    MAILS.  107 

the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honorable,  and  shall 
honor  him,  not  doing  thine  own  ways,  nor  finding  thine  own 
pleasure,  nor  speaking  thine  own  words,  then  will  I  cause  thee 
to  ride  on  the  high  places  of  the  earth — the  mouth  of  the  Lord 
hath  spoken  it.'  " — Gambier  Observer. 

"  The  petition  of  Harmon  Kingsbury  we  received  some  ten 
days  ago,  through  the  politeness  of  a  friend  at  Washmgton,  but 
had  not  then  time  to  examine  it.  Of  the  particular  circum- 
stances connected  with  its  being  brought  before  Congress  in  its 
present  form,  we  know  nothing.  We  are  not  among  those  who 
are  forward  in  clamoring  for  legislative  interference  in  matters 
of  religion,  and  especially  under  circumstances  calculated  to  ex- 
cite a  suspicion  that  sectarian  or  party  interests  are  at  the  bot- 
tom. But  we  have  reason  to  fear  that  the  aversion  some  of  our 
fellow  citizens  have  cherished  against  giving  countenance  to 
measures  in  which  prominent  parties  have  taken  the  lead,  has 
betrayed  them  into  the  opposite  extreme  ;  and  under  a  notion  of 
guarding  against  a  union  of  Church  and  State,  they  have,  un- 
warily, we  trust,  compromitted  the  interests  of  religion,  and 
given  undue  advantage  to  its  open  and  avowed  enemies.  There 
are  certain  great  principles  of  religion  and  morality  interwoven 
into  the  tissue  of  our  Government  and  laws,  which  are  as  sacred 
to  the  statesman  as  to  the  Christian.  Among  these  are  an  ac- 
knowledgment of  God,  of  his  providence,  of  the  Bible,  and  of  the 
institution  of  the  Sabbath,  &c.  And  while  the  nation  is  pro- 
hibited by  its  Constitution  from  passing  any  law  which  shall 
give  the  preference  to  one  sect  of  Christians  above  others,  it  is 
equally  bound,  by  the  same  charter  of  the  people's  rights,  to 
secure  to  all  the  liberty  of  conscience,  and  to  protect  the  great 
principles  in  which  all  agree.  It  appears  to  us,  therefore,  that 
no  law  can  be  constitutional,  which,  by  fair  implication,  infracts 
any  of  these  rights.  It  was  evidently  never  intended  by  the 
fathers  of  the  republic,  who  devised  the  structure  of  the  Govern- 
ment, or  the  sovereign  people  who  sanctioned  it,  that  a  public 
acknowledgment  of  God,  as  he  is  revealed  to  us  in  the  Christian 
Scriptures,  and  the  sanctity  of  the  holy  Sabbath,  should  be  lost 
sight  of  in  public  or  in  private  life.     If  this  conclusion  be  just,  it 


108  THE   SABBATH. 

is  sufficient  to  settle  the  question  brought  before  Congress  in  the 
memorial  before  that  body.  But  there  are  other  reasons  which 
should  influence  our  rulers  in  this  matter.  The  great  light  of 
legislators  is  the  light  of  experience.  This  is  their  only  safe 
guide.  Let  us  inquire,  then,  what  nation  has  rejected  God  and 
profaned  the  holy  Sabbath,  whose  history  does  not  exhibit 
marked  indications  of  his  displeasure,  in  disastrous  events,  so 
nearly  connected  with  these  as  their  cause,  that  no  mind,  well 
disciplined  in  a  correct  process  of  reasoning,  can  mistake  their 
connection  ?  History  will  afford  lessons  of  instruction  on  this 
momentous  subject,  which  it  will  be  wisdom  in  all  who  love 
their  country,  (laying  their  religious  views  out  of  the  question,) 
to  learn  and  treasure  up. 

"We  hope  that  Congress  will  respect  the  prayer  of  their  peti- 
tioner, not  only  because  it  is  evidently  in  accordance  with  the 
principles  of  morality  and  religion,  which  are  incorporated  in  the 
organization  of  our  Government,  and  without  which  we  cannot 
hope  to  prosper  as  a  nation,  but  because  the  request  appears  to 
be  reasonable,  and  the  terms  in  which  it  is  made  unexceptiona- 
ble. No  plea  of  necessity,  mercy,  or  utility,  can  be  urged  in 
favor  of  obliging  Postmasters  to  deliver  letters  on  the  Sabbath; 
while  every  consideration  of  right,  reason,  and  religion,  forbids 
it." — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal. 

Legislative  Action. 

But  perhaps  the  best  proof  of  the  present  state  of  public 
opinion  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact,  that  when  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  last  winter,  "  praying 
the  repeal  of  the  laws  for  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,"  &c., 
they,  by  a  vote  nearly  unanimous,  rejected  the  prayer  of  the 
petitioners.  An  extract  from  a  "  report  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Judiciary,  on  the  petition"  above  referred  to,  is  here  subjoined. 

"In  Assembly,  March  13,  1838. — Your  committee  do  not  ap- 
prehend any  of  the  evils  which  the  petitioners  suggest  as  likely 
to  follow  from  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  There  is  nothing 
in  the  history  of  the  past,  or  in  the  prospect  of  the  future,  which 
induces  the  belief  that  the  laws  on  this  subject  will  '  promote 
indolence,'  or  increase  the  opportunities  and  facilities  to  vice 


LEGISLATIVE    ACTION.  109 

and  immorality.'  Viewing  the  Sabbath  merely  as  a  civil  insti- 
tution, venerable  from  its  age,  consecrated  as  a  day  of  rest  by 
the  usage  of  our  fathers,  cherished  by  the  common  consent  of 
mankind  throughout  the  nations  of  Christendom,  we  cannot  con- 
cur with  the  petitioners  in  regarding  the  laws  for  its  observance 
as  '  glaring  outrages,'  nor  participate  in  the  '  profound  astonish- 
ment' with  which  they  profess  to  be  '  filled'  by  reason  of  the 
'toleration  of  those  laws  in  the  present  age.'  The  petitioners 
may  safely  dismiss  their  fear  that  the  influence  of  the  Sabbath 
will  be  corrupting  to  the  public  morals ;  they  need  have  no 
anxiety  lest  our  citizens  should  cease  to  be  an  industrious  peo- 
ple, because  of  their  resting  one  day  in  seven  :  they  may  feel 
assured  that  '  liberty  and  equality'  are  in  no  danger  of  being 
subverted  by  the  regulated  observance  of  a  day  which  witnesses, 
throughout  this  Commonwealth,  '  the  free  exercise  and  enjoy- 
ment of  religious  profession  and  worship,  without  discrimination 
or  preference.'  (Constitution,  article  7,  section  3.)  They  will 
find,  if  they  examine  the  subject,  that  the  great  end  of  our  Gov- 
ernmeni  is  to  secure,  protect,  and  perpetuate  both  civil  and  re- 
ligious liberty,  and  that  the  Legislature  has  no  more  power  to 
violate  those  rights,  by  treating  churches  and  religious  associa- 
tions as  '  public  nuisances,'  than  it  has  to  treat  literary  societies 
or  political  meetings  in  the  same  light. 

"  When  the  people  of  this  State  adopted  the  Constitution 
under  which  we  live,  they  ordained  that  '  the  free  exercise  and 
enjoyment  of  religious  profession  and  worship,  without  discrim- 
ination or  preference,  shall  be  forever  allowed  in  this  State  to 
all  mankind  ;  but  the  liberty  of  conscience  hereby  secured  shall 
not  be  so  construed  as  to  excuse  acts  of  licentiousness,  or  justify 
practices  inconsistent  with  the  peace  or  safety  of  the  State.' 
(Constitution,  article  7,  section  3.)  But  in  thus  protecting  them- 
selves against  the  intolerance  of  any  one  religious  sect,  it  was 
by  no  means  their  object  to  declare  war  against  religion  itself. 
On  the  contrary,  they  expressly  provided  that  even  this  freedom 
of  conscience,  which  is  thus  secured  as  sacred,  shall  in  no  case 
permit  any  acts  which  are  licentious,  and,  therefore,  inconsistent 
with  that  public  morality  which  has  the  Christian  religion  alone 
for  its  basis  and  support. 
10 


110  THE  SABBATH. 

"  In  all  countries  some  kind  of  religion  or  other  has  existed  in 
all  ages.  No  people  on  the  face  of  the  globe  are  without  a  pre- 
vailing national  religion.  Magistrates  have  sought  in  many 
countries  to  strengthen  civil  government  by  an  alliance  with 
some  particular  religion,  and  an  intolerant  exclusion  of  all  others. 
But  those  who  have  wielded  this  formidable  power  have  ren- 
dered it  a  rival,  instead  of  an  auxiliary  to  the  public  welfare ;  a 
fetter,  instead  of  a  protection  to  the  rights  of  conscience.  With 
us  it  is  wisely  ordered,  that  no  one  religion  shall  be  established 
by  law,  but  that  all  persons  shall  be  left  free  in  their  choice  and 
in  their  mode  of  worship.  Still,  this  is  a  Christian  nation. 
Ninety-nine  hundredths,  if  not  a  larger  proportion  of  our  whole 
population,  believe  in  the  general  doctrines  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion. Our  Government  depends  for  its  very  being  on  the  virtue 
of  the  people ;  on  that  virtue  which  has  its  foundation  in  the 
morality  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  that  religion  is  the  com- 
mon and  prevailing  faith  of  the  people.  There  are,  it  is  true, 
exceptions  to  this  belief,  but  general  laws  are  not  made  for  ex- 
cepted cases.  There  are  to  be  found,  here  and  there,  the  world 
over,  individuals  who  entertam  opinions  hostile  to  the  common 
sense  of  mankind  on  subjects  of  honesty,  humanity,  and  decency, 
but  it  would  be  a  kind  of  republicanism  with  which  we  are  not 
acquainted  in  this  country,  which  would  require  the  great  mass 
of  mankind  to  yield  to,  and  be  governed  by,  this  few. 

"  It  is  quite  unnecessary  to  enter  into  a  detailed  review  of  all 
the  evidence  that  Christianity  is  the  common  creed  of  this  na- 
tion ;  we  know  it,  and  we  feel  it,  as  we  know  and  feel  any  other 
unquestioned  and  admitted  truth ;  the  evidence  is  all  around  us, 
and  before  us,  and  with  us.  We  know,  too,  that  the  exceptions 
to  this  general  belief  are  rare  ;  so  very  rare  that  they  are  suffi- 
cient only,  like  other  exceptions,  to  prove  a  general  rule. 

"  Such  being  the  case,  the  question  arises,  whether  the  laws 
and  usages  required  by  the  principles  and  feelings  of  the  vast 
majority  should  give  way  to  the  peculiar  dogmas  of  the  very 
few ;  whether  they  are  oppressive  on  the  conscience ;  or  whether 
they  operate  as  a  greater  restriction  on  the  natural  rights  of  the 
very  few  than  is  indispensable  to  the  good  of  society. 

"  It  is  obvious  that  a  negative  is  the  only  answer  that  can  be 


LEGISLATIYE    ACTION.  Ill 

given  to  either  of  these  inquiries.  Our  laws  are  entirely  tolerant ; 
they  recognize  no  tests,  disabilities,  or  discriminations ;  there  is 
no  impediment  to  the  free  enjoyment,  by  every  human  being,  of 
any  religion  whatever ;  there  is  no  proscription  of  those  who  do 
or  do  not  belong  to  any  particular  sect,  or  to  no  sect,  who  believe 
in  any  particular  religion  or  no  religion  ;  all  are  alike  protected 
by  the  laws  and  amenable  to  them.  The  desecration  of  the 
Sabbath  by  servile  labor,  sporting,  gaming,  hunting,  and  horse- 
racing,  would,  in  a  state  of  society  like  ours,  be  an  outrage  on 
the  feelings  and  peace  of  the  people,  and  would  be  incompatible 
with  the  '  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  religious  profession  and 
worship,'  guarantied  to  them  by  the  Constitution.  Such  acts, 
therefore,  become  positive  offences,  and  are  prohibited  by  law; 
and  such  prohibition  is  no  more  a  restraint  of  the  natural  rights 
of  the  solitary  few,  than  hundreds  of  others  in  the  statute  book, 
or  than  is  due  to  the  social  rights  of  the  community  as  a  whole. 
"  Your  committee  desire  to  be  understood  as  placing  these 
laws  exclusively  on  the  ground  of  political  and  constitutional 
right.  With  the  religious  obligations  which  individuals  are 
under  to  reverence  the  Sabbath,  we  have  nothing  to  do ;  those 
obligations  are  purely  personal,  not  social ;  as  to  them,  every 
man  is,  of  right,  his  own  judge.  Aside  from  usual  considerations 
under  which  the  people  of  this  country  are  disposed  to  observe 
the  Sabbath,  there  can  be  no  question  that,  as  a  mere  civil  insti- 
tution, none  could  be  devised  more  salutary.  If  it  had  no  other 
effect  than  to  promote  the  personal  cleanliness  and  cessation 
from  bodily  labor,  so  essential  to  the  health  and  physical  energy 
of  a  population,  it  would  be  well  worth  legal  protection.  The 
experience  of  mankind  has  shown  that  occasional  rest  is  neces- 
sary for  the  health  of  the  laborer,  and  for  his  continued  ability  to 
toil :  that  '  the  interval  of  relaxation  which  Sunday  affords  to 
the  IJiborious  part  of  mankind,  contributes  greatly  to  the  comfort 
and  satisfaction  of  their  lives,  both  as  it  refreshes  them  for  the 
time,  and  as  it  relieves  their  six  days'  labor  by  the  prospect  of  a 
day  of  rest  always  approaching;  which  could  not  be  said  of 
casual  indulgence  of  leisure  and  rest,  even  were  they  more  fre- 
quent than  there  is  reason  to  expect  they  would  be  if  left  to  the 
discretion  or  humanity  of  interested  taskmasters.'     (Paley,  vol. 


112  THE  SABBATH. 

3,  p.  292.)  In  the  absence  of  laws  prohibiting  labor  on  the  Sab- 
bath, all  that  portion  of  the  people  who  are  in  the  service  of 
others,  who  are  employed  as  clerks,  apprentices,  in  manufacto- 
ries, as  laborers,  and  otherwise,  would  be  without  any  protec- 
tion for  their  rights  of  worship  or  of  rest;  they  would  be  left  at 
the  mercy  of  others,  and  subject  to  the  caprice,  cupidity,  or 
legalized  immorality  of  their  employers.  The  added  toil  of  the 
seventh  day  would  only  reduce  the  price,  and  the  '  laborer  him- 
self, who  deserved  and  suffered  most  by  the  change,  would  gain 
nothing.'  Even  the  beasts  that  toil  for  man  are  entitled  to  their 
rest,  and  it  is  found  that  they  can  accomplish  more  by  ceasing 
from  their  work  one  day  in  seven.  Thus  the  dictates  of  human- 
ity and  the  decree  of  nature  alike  require  the  observance  of  the 
Sabbath. 

"  If  the  laws  forbidding  labor  of  one  kind  were  repealed,  there 
would  be  no  reason  why  the  repeal  should  not  extend  to  all 
kinds ;  why  courts  should  not  sit ;  process  issue ;  jurors  be  com- 
pelled to  serve,  and  parties  and  witnesses  attend  on  the  Sabbath ; 
why  the  militia  should  not  be  ordere  d  out  for  parade  and  inspec- 
tion; why  town  meetings  should  not  be  held;  in  a  word,  there 
should  be  no  reason  why  the  people  should  not  be  at  all  times 
liable  to  be  interrupted  in  the  conscientious  discharge  of  their 
religious  duties,  and  to  a  virtual  prohibition  of  the  '  free  exer- 
cise and  enjoyment  of  religious  profession  and  worship.' 

"  The  humanizing  effect  of  the  Sabbath  in  promoting  works 
of  benevolence,  charity,  schools  for  the  instruction  of  those  who 
cannot  obtain  instruction  elsewhere,  and  in  strengthening  the 
social  relations  of  friends  and  neighbors,  is  among  its  most  be- 
nign results.  The  principles  which  are  then  inculcated,  in 
churches  of  all  denominations,  strengthen  that  public  morality, 
good  order,  and  obedience  to  the  laws,  so  essential  to  the  security 
of  the  State. 

"  A  black  chapter  in  the  history  of  the  French  revolution  fur- 
nishes a  monitory  lesson  as  to  the  results  of  the  prostration  of 
all  religion.  There  is  nothing  in  those  countries  where  the  Sab- 
bath is  disregarded  to  commend  their  example  to  our  imitation. 
We  are  persuaded  that  the  petitioners  would  not,  as  good  citi- 
zens, be  willing  to  see  cock-fighting,  horse-racing,  theatrical  exhi- 


UNCONSTITUTIONALITY   OF   THE   LAW.  113 

bitions,  bull-baiting,  and  other  demoralizing  and  brutal  displays, 
take  the  place  of  the  quiet  and  order,  the  tranquillity  and  peace, 
which  reign  throughout  our  borders  on  that  day.  And  yet,  if  we 
abandon  our  customs,  and  break  down  those  barriers  against 
vice  which  now  protect  us,  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  we 
should  not  be  visited  by  those  offensive  results  as  well  as  other 
countries.  We  need  hardly  say,  that  while  public  virtue  and 
morality  prevail  in  this  State,  the  people  will  never  ratify,  by  a 
repeal  of  the  law,  the  violation  of  the  Sabbath.  It  is  endeared 
to  them  by  the  example  of  their  fathers,  by  the  associations  of 
their  youth,  and  by  the  habit  of  their  lives." 

Suppose  it  be  admitted — and  why  is  it  not  reasonable  to  do 
so? — that  all  the  states,  having  laws  to  protect  the  Sabbath  are 
of  the  same  opinion  expressed  above,  is  there  not  in  this  fact 
alone,  overwhelming  evidence  that  the  great  majority  of  this 
natioQ  consider  the  Sabbath  essential  to  national  prosperity,  and 
would  rejoice  to  witness  the  repeal  of  the  law  requiring  labor 
on  that  day  ? 

Unconstitutionality  of  the  Law. 

It  is  said  that  twenty-three  of  the  states  of  this  Union  at  least, 
have  penal  enactments  against  Sabbath  desecration.  Besides, 
the  common  law  of  England,  up  to  the  time  of  the  revolution,  it 
is  believed,  was  adopted  by  all  the  colonies.  Long  before  the 
American  revolution  it  was  decided  that  the  desecration  of  the 
Sabbath  was  an  offence  at  common  law,  which,  all  admit,  recog- 
nizes the  authority  of  Christianity.  The  Sabbath,  then,  is  re- 
cognized both  by  statute  and  common  law,  by  the  states  which 
compose  this  Union,  as  a  day  upon  which  courts  cannot  sit,  or 
civil  process  issue  ;  the  servant,  apprentice,  and  laborer,  are  ex- 
empt from  worldly  avocations  on  that  day,  and  protected  in  its 
enjoyment  as  a  season  of  rest.  And  all  entertainments,  exhibi- 
tions, reviews,  or  other  things  tending  to  disturb  the  religious 
observance  of  the  day,  are  prohibited. 

The  first  inquiry  which  now  suggests  itself  is,  have  the  states 
a  right  to  make  such  laws  ?  for,  if  they  have,  then  Congress  has 
no  right  to  make  a  law  virtually  abrogating  state  laws,  by  com- 
pelling a  portion  of  their  citizens  to  labor  on  Sunday.  Have  the 
10* 


114  THE    SABBATH. 

States,  by  the  Constitution,  committed  any  such  power  to  Con- 
gress ? 

Instructions  to  the  Delegates  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  instructions  given  by  many  of 
the  colonies  to  their  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress,  in 
1776,  will  show,  that  in  the  reserved  rights  of  the  States  are  in- 
cluded all  "  that  relates  to  their  internal  police,  and  the  manage- 
ment of  their  own  civil  and  religious  affairs." 

North  Carolina^  April  12,  1776. — "  Reserving  to  this  colony 
the  sole  and  exclusive  right  of  forming  a  constitution  and  laws 
for  this  colony." 

Rhode  Island,  May  4,  1776. — "  Taking  the  greatest  care  to 
secure  to  this  colony,  in  the  strongest  manner,  its  present  estab- 
lished form,  and  all  the  powers  of  government,  so  far  as  relates  to 
its  internal  police  and  conduct  of  our  own  affairs,  civil  and  re- 
ligious." 

Virginia,  May  15,  1776. — ^^  Provided,  That  the  power  of 
forming  government  for,  and  regulating  the  internal  concerns  of, 
each  colony,  be  left  to  the  respective  colonial  legislatures." 

Pennsylvania,  June  14,1776. — "Reserving  to  the  people  of 
this  colony  the  sole  and  exclusive  right  of  regulating  the  internal 
government  and  police  of  the  same." 

Connecticut,  June  14,  1776. — "  Saving  that  the  administration 
of  government,  and  the  power  of  forming  governments  for,  and 
the  regulation  of  the  internal  concerns  and  police  of  each  colony, 
ought  to  be  left  and  remain  to  the  respective  colonial  legis- 
latures." 

New  Hampshire,  June  15,  1776. — "  Provided,  the  regulation  of 
our  internal  police  be  under  the  direction  of  our  own  Assem- 
bly." 

Neio  Jersey,  June  21,  1776. — "Always  observing,  that  what- 
ever plan  of  confederacy  you  enter  into,  the  regulating  the  inter- 
nal policy  of  this  province  is  to  be  reserved  to  the  colony  legis- 
lature." 


UNCONSTITUTIONALITY    OF   THE   LAW.  115 

Maryland,  June  28,  1776. — "Provided  the  sole  and  exclusive 
right  of  regulating  the  internal  government  and  police  of  this 
colony  be  reserved  to  the  people  thereof" 

South  Carolina  implies  the  same. 

The  colonies  would  come  into  the  Union  only  on  certain  con- 
ditions, expressed  above ;  and,  as  these  conditions  were  nearly 
or  quite  universal  among  the  colonies,  can  it  be  supposed  that 
any  of  these  conditions  were  surrendered  by  the  delegates,  or  dis- 
regarded by  the  Constitution  ?  Certainly  not.  And  each  state 
now  belonging  to  this  Union  has  the  same  right  to  prohibit  labor 
in  its  territory  on  Sunday,  whether  in  relation  to  the  mail  and 
Postoffices,  or  other  things,  that  the  several  colonies  had.  Be- 
sides these  reserved  rights,  they  now  have,  and  always  have  had, 
2i  natural  and  an  inherent  right  to  forbid  the  doing  of  those  things 
which  lead  to  crime  and  immorality, — and  to  encourage  and  pro- 
tect those  things  which  conduce  to  a  quiet,  orderly,  and  moral 
life ;  and  who  ever  doubted  that  the  Sabbath,  duly  observed, 
tends  to  promote  peace,  virtue,  good  order,  intelligence,  and  mo- 
rality among  a  people  ? 

Hence,  as  well  as  from  the  caution  with  which  the  States 
finally  adopted  the  Constitution,  it  is  evident  that  they  never 
intended  to  give  to  Congress  power  to  interfere  with  their  inter- 
nal legislation,  in  relation  to  morality  and  religion;  and,  least  of 
all,  to  authorize  them  to  compel  the  citizens  of  the  States  to 
trample  on  the  Sabbath,  a  boon  guarantied  to  them  before  the 
Constitution  existed,  and  which  has  never  been  surrendered.  In 
accordance  with  this  sentiment,  is  an  opinion  expressed,  in  a  pe- 
tition to  Congress  on  the  same  subject,  in  1828  and  1829,  and 
signed,  with  others,  by  the  Hon.  John  Cotton  Smith,  viz:  "  The 
General  Government  has  not  the  constitutional  power  to  autho- 
rize the  violation  of  the  Sabbath." 

Sabbath-breaking  tends  to  deteriorate  the  sense  of  moral  obli- 
gation, and  to  open  the  floodgates  of  iniquity;  therefore,  the 
states  have  not  only  the  right,  but  they  are  in  duty  bound  to  for- 
bid and  to  prevent  it.  And  Congress  not  only  has  the  right,  but 
is  also  in  duty^ound  to  forbid  and  prevent  it,  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  in  all  her  Territories. 


116  THE  SABBATH. 

The  Hon.  Wilson  H.  Lumpkin,  of  Georgia,  says :  "  All  nui- 
sances, which  tend  to  annoy  the  community,  or  injure  the  health 
of  the  citizens  in  general,  or  corrupt  the  manners  and  morals  of 
the  people,  subject  their  authors  to  severe  penalties."  And  who 
cannot  see  that  vSabbath-breaking  tends  to  annoy  the  commimity, 
injure  the  health  of  those  who  enjoy  no  day  of  rest,  and  corrupt 
the  manners  and  morals  of  the  community  ? 

Then  it  is  clear,  if  the  states  have  not  only  the  right,  but  are 
in  duty  bound  to  prevent  this  immorality,  this  nation  has  no 
right  to  contravene  the  rights  and  wishes  of  the  several  states. 
For,  in  the  language  of  the  Hon.  T.  Frelinghuysen,  on  license 
laws,  it  may  be  said,  "  Men  can  hardly  avoid  looking  up  to  the 
halls  of  legislation  for  standards  of  duty ;  they  expect  to  find 
models  there  that  may  be  safely  followed.  *  *  #  *  Men 
will  not  take  time  to  question  the  moral  power  of  a  legislature 
to  make  that  right  which  God  declares  wrong.  *  *  #  *  If 
they  can  plead,  that  in  their  practice  they  conform  to  law^  it  is 
all  fair  weather  with  them,  and  you  cannot  easily  convince  them 
that  they  do  wrong.  *  *  *  *  You  cannot  reach  the  con- 
sciences of  men  standing  behind  this  authority."  And,  so  long  as 
the  people  can  shield  themselves  behind  national  law,  requiring 
labor  on  Sunday,  it  will  be  almost  or  quite  useless  to  attempt 
either  to  control  their  actions,  by  state  laws,  or  by  moral  suasion 
reach  their  consciences,  so  as  to  induce  them  to  "  remember  the 
Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy." 

General  Legislation  of  Congress. 

Michigan. — It  can  easily  be  shown  that  this  law  is  in  direct 
opposition  to  the  general  legislation  of  Congress,  and  the  uniform 
practice  of  this  government.  In  giving  laws  to  Michigan,  when 
a  Territory,  Congress  declare,  "  that,  in  every  community,  some 
portion  of  time  ought  to  be  set  apart  for  relaxation  from  worldly 
care  and  employments,  and  devoted  to  the  social  worship  of  Al- 
mighty God,  and  the  attainment  of  religious  and  moral  instruc- 
tion, which  are  in  the  highest  degree  promotive  of  the  peace, 
happiness,  and  prosperity  of  a  people."  And  they  further  pro- 
vide that  the  first  day  of  the  week  shall  be  kep(%nd  observed  by 
the  good  people  of  the  Territory  as  a  Sabbath,  holy  day,  or  day 


GENERAL    LEGISLATION    OF    CONGRESS.  117 

of  rest  from  all  secular  employments.  (Bishop  McTlvaine's 
Thanksgiving  Sermon.)  How  does  this  reasoning  condemn  the 
law  in  question !  What  stronger  or  more  forcible  arguments 
can  be  used  to  show  its  immorality  and  unconstitutionality  than 
are  found  in  this  wise  legislation  for  the  Territory  of  Michigan  ? 
Do  not  Congress  here  most  indignantly  and  eloquently  rebuke 
their  own  legislation  ?  And  ought  such  contradictory  acts  as 
this,  and  the  law  complained  of,  toremam  on  their  statute  books  ? 
Is  not  here  evidence  that  the  obnoxious  clause  was  introduced 
without  due  consideration  of  its  bearing  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the 
moral  condition  of  the  nation  ? 

It  is  discovered  on  examination  that  Congress  did  not  directly 
enact  this  law.  It  was  done  by  their  regularly  constituted 
agents,  the  Governor  and  Judges  of  the  Territory,  whose  duty 
it  was  to  make  the  laws  for  said  territory,  and  report  them  to 
Congress.  See  "  An  ordinance  for  the  government  of  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  United  States,  north-west  of  the  Ohio  River." 

"  The  Governor  and  Judges,  or  a  majority  of  them,  shall  adopt 
and  publish  in  the  district,  such  laws  of  the  original  States,  cri- 
minal and  civil ,  as  may  be  necessary,  and  best  suited  to  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  district,  and  report  thera  to  Congress  from 
time  to  time  ;  which  laws  shall  be  in  force  in  the  district  until 
the  organization  of  the  general  assembly  therein,  unless  disap- 
proved of  by  Congress."  Congress  never  disapproved  of  this 
law  which  accords  with  laws  on  this  subject  in  many  of  the 
original  States.  So  of  course  it  may  be  said  to  be  their  act. 
Whatever  one  does  by  another,  is,  in  law,  considered  as  having 
been  done  by  himself     January  7,  1839. 

Bill  of  Rights. 

Florida. — Extract  from  the  bill  of  rights  for  the  government 
of  Florida,  while  a  territory. — "  To  the  end  that  the  inhabitants 
may  be  protected  in  their  liberty,  property,  and  religion,  no  law 
shall  ever  be  valid  which  shall  impair,  or  in  any  wise  restrain 
the  freedom  of  religious  opinions,  profession,  and  worship." — 
(Gordon's  Digest,  section  1,134.) 

Here  Congress  declares  invalid  any  law  "  which  shall  impair 
or  in  any  wise  restrain  the  freedom  of  religious  opinions,  profes- 


118  THE   SABBATH. 

sions,  and  worship."  And  the  law  requiring  Postmasters  to 
labor  on  Sunday,  if  it  do  not  restrain  the  freedom  of  religious 
opinions  and  professions^  certainly  does  of  "  worship  ;"  for  how 
can  one  enjoy  religious  worship,  while  compelled  to  deliver  let- 
ters, papers,  &c.  ?  Both  of  these  laws  cannot  be  binding,  any 
more  than  in  the  case  of  Michigan. 

Arkansas. — The  following  clause  is  found  in  the  bill  of  rights 
for  the  government  of  the  Territory  of  Arkansas. — "  No  law 
shall  be  made  which  shall  lay  any  person  under  restraint,  bur- 
den, or  disability,  on  account  of  his  religious  opinions,  profes- 
sions, or  mode  of  Avorship." — (Gordon's  Digest,  section  1,122. 

By  the  law  requiring  labor  on  Sunday,  the  consistent  Christian 
Postmaster  is  constrained  to  abandon  his  office,  or  he  is  restrained 
in  his  religious  opinions  and  privileges.  The  two  laws  are  not 
consistent  with  each  other.  Let  it  ever  be  remembered,  that 
wherever  Congress  speaks  of  religion,  in  connection  with  our 
rights  and  happiness,  it  means  the  Christian  religion.  It  does 
not  distinguish  between  the  different  denominations  of  Chris- 
tians, but  it  does  between  Christianity  and  anti- Christianity,  as 
is  evident  from  what  has  already  been  said,  and  from  the  laws 
both  of  the  States  and  of  the  Union. 

District  of  Columbia. — See  Story's  Appendix,  U.  S.  Laws, 
chap.  86,  sec.  1st,  from  which  it  appears  that  the  District  was 
to  be  governed  by  the  laws  then  (February  27,  1801)  existing 
in  the  States  of  Maryland  and  Virginia.  Now  if,  on  examina- 
tion, it  shall  appear  that  these  two  States  had,  at  that  time, 
laws  against  Sabbath  desecration,  which  is  more  than  probable, 
and  laws  favoring  the  Christian  religion,*  two  thmgs  already 
commented  upon  will  appear  still  more  evident,  viz :  that  when- 

*  The  law  of  Maryland  referred  to  above,  is  as  follows,  viz  :  "  No 
person  whatsoever  shall  work  or  do  any  bodily  labor  on  the  Lord's 
day,  commonly  called  Sunday ;  and  no  person  having  children,  ser- 
vants, or  slaves,  shall  command,  or  wittingly  or  willingly  suffer  any  of 
them  to  do  any  manner  of  work  or  labor  on  the  Lord's  day,  (works  of 
necessity  and  charity  always  excepted,)  nor  shall  suffer  or  permit  any 
children,  servants,  or  slaves,  to  profane  the  Lord's  day  by  gaming,  fish- 
ing, fowling,  hunting,  or  unlawful  pastime  and  recreation."  Then  fol- 
lows the  penalty. 


POWERS  OF  CONGRESS.  119 

ever  Congress  speaks  of  religion^  it  means  the  Christian  religion, 
and  that  Congress  itself^  while  making  laws  for  the  government 
of  its  Territories,  (as  well  as  the  States,  while  making  laws  to 
govern  themselves,)  believed  that  it  had  the  right  to  require  the 
people  in  said  Territories  to  observe  the  Christian  Sabbath. 
And,  if  they  had  such  right,  which  few  if  any  will  deny,  then 
certainly  the  law  requiring  labor  in  the  Postoffice  Department  is 
utterly  void. 

Powers  of  Congress — Postoffices. 

"  Congress  shall  have  power  to  establish  Postoffices  and  post- 
roads."  It  is  well  known  that,  from  this  clause  in  the  Constitu- 
tion, it  is  claimed  that  Congress  derives  all  its  powers  in  relation 
to  this  department.  Two  constructions  have  been,  by  able  com- 
mentators, given  to  this  clause ;  one  quite  restricted,  limited, 
and  the  other  liberal.  Among  the  advocates  of  the  former,  were 
Thomas  Jefferson  and  President  Monroe,  and  more  recently  a 
large  portion  of  the  south,  (as  expressed  by  their  Legislatures 
in  relation  to  "  incendiary  publications"  passing  through  the 
mail ;)  and  among  the  advocates  of  the  latter  are  Mr.  Justice 
Story  and  others,  referred  to  in  his  commentary  on  the  Consti- 
tution, from  which  the  following  is  an  extract,  specifying  some 
of  the  things  which  the  advocates  of  the  latter  construction 
claim,  as  naturally  and  properly  inferential  from  the  clause  above 
given:  "  In  the  same  manner,  to  establish  Postoffices  and  post- 
roads  is  to  frame  and  pass  laws,  to  erect,  make,  form,  regulate, 
and  preserve  them.  Whatever  is  necessary,  whatever  is  appro- 
priate to  this  purpose,  is  within  the  power."  Now,  whichever 
is  the  correct  construction,  it  cannot  for  a  moment  be  maintained 
that  Congress  has  the  power  to  do  an  unconstitutional  and  an 
immoral  thing  in  the  premises,  any  more  than  it  can  be  that  an 
individual  can  do  an  unlawful  and  an  immoral  thing  for  another, 
because  he  has  from  him  a  general  or  discretionary  power  of  at- 
torney. He  may,  it  is  true,  do  all  that  is  necessary  and  appropri- 
ate to  be  done,  having  a  regard  to  the  laws  of  his  country,  which 
bind  him  as  a  citizen,  and  to  the  laws  of  God,  which  hold  him 
amenable  to  a  higher  tribunal ;  and  so,  and  only  so,  may  Con- 
gress do. 


1^  THE   SABBATH. 

Few  will  contend  that  Congress  has  a  right  conferred  by  the 
Constitution,  or  that  it  has  the  disposition,  to  undermine  the 
Christian  religion,  and  this  republic,  upon  which  it  is  based,  by 
blotting  out  the  Christian  Sabbath,  the  admitted  mainsprmg  of 
both ;  smce  both  the  Sabbath  and  this  religion  have  been  recog- 
nized and  protected  by  the  Constitution.  And  it  is  not  believed 
that  this  able  commentator  ever  thought  Congress  had  a  right 
to  require  labor  in  the  mail  department  on  Sunday;  but  rather 
that  this  subject  would  come  under  the  head  of  reserved  rights 
of  the  Stales,  or  the  prohibitions  of  the  Constitution.  Doubtless 
Congress  has  power  to  do  all  things  in  relation  to  this  establish- 
ment which  would  be  for  the  general  good,  and  not  inconsistent 
with  the  religion  which  we,  as  a  nation,  have  adopted,  and 
which  it  is  our  duty  as  well  as  our  interest  to  cherish.  But,  by 
almost  universal  consent,  the  nation  over,  it  has  been  said,  that 
it  is  not  for  the  general  good  to  allow  labor  on  Sunday.  Hence 
our  State  and  Congressional  laws  on  that  subject.  Any  con- 
struction of  the  Postoffice  law  which  leads  to  those  statutes  and 
practices  which  contravene  the  laws  of  God,  and  of  the  several 
States  made  in  pursuance  thereof,  is  a  forced  construction,  tend- 
ing to  the  abrogation  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  illy  becomes 
a  Christian  people.  Such  a  construction  is  also  against  the 
Constitution,  in  respect  to  the  rights  secured  to  the  several 
States  in  this  Union.  Congress  has  all  the  power  that  exists, 
to  direct  in  this  establishment,  as  well  as  in  relation  to  the 
United  States'  Courts,  &c.  But  who,  in  his  senses,  will  contend 
that  Congress  has  a  right  to  require  that  body  to  sit  and  transact 
their  official  business  on  the  Lord's  day  ?  No  legislature  on 
earth  has  a  right  to  require  an  immoral  act,  and  all  good  states- 
men, from  the  first  dawn  of  this  republic,  have  considered  Sab- 
bath-breaking an  immorality.  It  is  by  some  contended,  that  in 
order  to  the  perfection  of  the  Postoffice  improvement,  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  trample  on  the  law  of  the  Sabbath ;  but  this  is  an 
hypothesis  without  the  least  foundation,  and  must  utterly  fail. 

"  This  Constitution,  and  the  laws  of  the  United  States  which 
shall  be  made  in  pursuance  thereof,  shall  be  the  supreme  law  of 
the  land." — (Story's  Conjmentary,  page  693.)  Before  it  is  said 
that  the  law  of  the  United  States  makmg  it  imperative  for 


THIS    IS   A    CHRISTIAN    NATION.  121 

Postmasters  to  violate  the  law  of  God,  and  of  the  several  States 
made  in  pursuance  thereof,  is  constitutional,  it  may  be  well  to 
examine  still  further. 

Power  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

"  But  the  judiciary  of  the  United  States  has  no  general  juris- 
diction to  declare  acts  of  the  several  States  void,  unless  they  are 
repugnant  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  tStates." — (Story's 
Commentary  on  the  Constitution,  page  687.)  Now,  if  the  Sab- 
bath-laws of  the  States  are  not  repugnant  to  the  Constitution, 
(which  no  one  pretends,  but  which  all,  on  the  contrary,  believe 
to  be  in  exact  accordance  with  that  instrument,  and  the  practice 
of  the  Government  which  administers  it,  except  in  the  case  of 
Postmasters,  as  above,)  then  it  is  most  evident  that  the  law  re- 
quiring labor  on  Sunday  is  unconstitutional  and  void. 

Powers  when  in  States. 

"  But  as  the  plan  of  the  Convention  aims  only  at  a  partial 
union,  or  consolidation,  the  State  Governments  would  clearly 
retain  all  the  rights  of  sovereignty  which  they  before  had,  and 
which  were  not  by  that  act  exclusively  delegated  to  the  United 
States."— (Ibid,  pages  148,  149.)  The  States  had  a  right  to 
Sabbath  laws  before  the  union,  and  they  never  delegated  such 
right  to  the  United  States. 

Powers  not  delegated. 

"  The  powers  not  delegated  to  the  United  States  by  the  Con- 
stitution, nor  prohibited  by  it  to  the  States,  are  reserved  to  the 
States  respectively,  or  to  the  people."  (Amendment  of  the  Con- 
stitution.) 

"  It  is  a  general  principle  that  all  corporate  bodies  possess  all 
powers  incident  to  a  corporate  capacity,  without  being  abso- 
lutely expressed." — (Story's  Commentary,  page  752 — ^  1,900.) 
"  All  powers  not  delegated,  and  not  prohibited,  are  reserved." — 
(Ibid,  page  753.) 

This  is  a  Christian  nation. 

A  few  more  extracts  may  now  be  added  on  this  topic,  before 
entering  upon  the  last  position  in  the  argument.     "  Now  there 
11 


122  THE    SABEATH. 

will  probably  be  found  few  persons  in  this  or  any  other  Christian 
country,  who  would  deliberately  contend  that  it  was  unreasona- 
ble or  unjust  to  foster  and  encourage  the  Christian  religion  gen- 
erally, as  a  matter  of  sound  policy,  as  well  as  of  revealed  truth. 
In  fact,  every  American  colony,  from  its  formation  down  to  the 
revolution,  with  the  exception  of  Rhode  Island,  (if,  indeed,  that 
8tate  be  an  exception,)  did  openly,  by  the  whole  course  of  its 
laws  and  institutions,  support  and  sustain,  in  some  form,  the 
Christian  religion ;  and  almost  invariably  gave  a  peculiar  sanc- 
tion to  some  of  its  fundamental  doctrines.  And  this  has  con- 
tinued to  be  the  case  in  some  of  the  States  down  to  the  present 
period,  without  the  slightest  suspicion  that  it  was  against  the 
principles  of  public  law,  or  republican  liberty.  Indeed,  in  a  re- 
public, there  would  seem  to  be  a  peculiar  propriety  in  viewing 
the  Christian  religion  as  the  great  basis  on  which  it  must  rest 
for  its  support  and  permanence,  if  it  be  what  it  ever  has  been 
deemed  by  its  truest  friends  to  be,  the  religion  of  liberty." — 
(Story's  Commentary,  §  1,867.) 

Establishment  of  Religion. 

"  Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of 
religion." — (Constitution.) 

"  Probably  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution, 
and  of  the  amendment  to  it  now  under  consideration,  the  gen- 
eral, if  not  the  universal  sentiment  in  America  was,  that  Chris- 
tianity ought  to  receive  encouragement  from  the  Slates,  so  far 
as  it  is  not  incompatible  with  the  private  rights  of  conscience, 
and  the  freedom  of  religious  worship.  An  attempt  to  level  all 
religion,  and  to  make  it  a  matter  of  State  policy  to  hold  all  in 
utter  indifference,  would  have  created  universal  disapprobation, 
if  not  universal  indignation." — (Story's  Commentary,  ^  1868.) 

"  The  real  object  of  the  amendment  was,  not  to  countenance, 
much  less  to  advance,  Mohammedanism,  or  Judaism,  or  infidelity, 
by  prostrating  Christianity ;  but  to  exclude  all  rivalry  among 
Christian  sects,  and  to  prevent  any  national  ecclesiastical  estab- 
lishment, which  would  give  to  an  hierarchy  the  exclusive  pa- 
tronage of  the  national  Government." — Ibid,  pages  700,  701.) 


ESTABLISHIHENT   OF   RELIGION.  123 

Language  used  in  the  ordinance  for  the  Government  of  Territo- 
ries^ Sfc,  July  13,  1787. 

"  For  extending  the  fundamental  principles  of  civil  and  reli- 
gious liberty,  which  form  the  basis  whereon  these  republics, 
their  laws  and  constitutions,  are  erected ;  to  fix  and  establish 
those  principles  as  the  basis  of  all  laws,  constitutions,  and  gov- 
ernments, which  forever  hereafter  shall  be  formed  in  said  terri- 
tory," fee. — all  laws  and  constitutions  on  the  basis  of  Christian- 
ity, &c. — (See  Appendix  to  Stor\''s  U.  S.  Laws,  page  4.) 

"  Religion,  morality,  and  knowledge  being  necessary  to  good 
government  and  the  happiness  of  mankind,"  &e. — (Ibid,  art.  3.) 

Speaking  of  the  times  of  holding  courts  in  Vermont,  it  is  said, 
"  and  when  either  of  the  said  days  shall  happen  on  a  Sunday, 
the  said  courts  hereby  directed  to  be  holden  on  such  day,  shall 
be  holden  on  the  day  next  thereafter." — (Ibid,  page  StJl.)  This 
does  not  look  like  the  language  of  a  heathen  or  infidel  nation, 
nor  like  disowning  a  Sabbath. 

Bishop  ]\rilvaijie^s  Thanksgiving  Sermon,  December  14,  1837. 

A  few  extracts  will  now  be  given  from  "  A  Sermon  preached 
on  the  day  of  public  thanksgiving  and  prayer,  in  the  chapel  of 
Kenyon  College,  by  Right  Rev.  C.  P.  M'llvaine,"  and  from  its 
appendix.  For  the  authorities  in  the  appendix,  the  author  ac- 
knowledges his  indebtedness  to  a  discourse  by  Rev.  J.  Adams, 
President  of  Charleston  College,  S.  C,  "  on  the  relation  of  Chris- 
tianity to  civil  governments." 

The  quotations  are  numerous,  in  order  that  opposers  to  Chris- 
tianity, who  deny  that  this  nation  has  adopted  any  religion,  may 
see  their  error. 

"That  some  one  religion,  and  that  the  Christian  religion,  is 
recognized  as  the  religion  of  this  nation  and  Government,  and, 
as  such,  is  interwoven  in  its  laws  and  has  a  legal  preference, 
though  not  '  establishment,^  (in  technical  language,)  over  what- 
ever else  has  the  name  of  religion,  and  especially  over  all  forms 
of  infidelity,  we  need  no  better  assurance  than  the  judgment  of 
one  whose  seat  is  upon  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  these 
United  States ;  whose  business  is  the  interpretation  of  the  na- 
tion's laws,  and  whose  qualification  for  that  work  there  are 


124  THE   SABBATH. 

none  to  dispute.  Thus  writes  Mr.  Justice  Story  :  '  One  of  the 
most  beau^^iful  boasts  of  our  municipal  jurisprudence,  is  that 
Christianity  is  a  part  of  the  common  law,  from  which  it  seeks 
the  sanction  of  its  rights,  and  by  which  it  endeavors  to  regulate 
its  doctrines.  And  the  boast  is  as  true  as  it  is  beautiful.  There 
never  has  been  a  period  in  which  the  common  law  did  not  re- 
cognize Christianity  as  lying  at  its  foundation.  It  pronounces 
illegal,  every  contract  offensive  to  its  morals.  It  recognizes, 
with  profound  humility,  its  holidays  and  festivals,  and  obeys 
them  as  "  dies  non  juridiciy  It  still  attaches  to  persons  be- 
lieving in  its  divine  authority,  the  highest  degree  of  competency 
as  witnesses ;  and  until  a  comparatively  recent  period,  infidels 
and  pagans  were  banished  from  the  halls  of  justice,  as  unworthy 
of  credit.' — Inaugural  Address  at  Harvard  Institute. 

"  Here,  then,  is  one  of  our  subjects  of  thankfulness  to-day. 
We  pause  not  to  ask  how  far  these  truths  are  all  sustained  in 
the  practice  of  our  Government ;  how  far  the  '  dies  non  juridici,'' 
the  Sabbaths  of  our  land,  are  honored,  when  the  representatives 
of  a  Christian  people,  in  Congress  assembled,  find  it  convenient, 
at  the  close  of  a  session,  to  employ  its  hallowed  hours  for  pur- 
poses of  hurried  and  clamorous  legislation.  We  confine  our 
attention  to  the  bright  spots  in  the  picture ;  and  are  thankful 
that  our  system  of  government,  our  common  law,  and  adminis- 
tration of  justice,  were  instituted  by  men  having  the  wisdom  to 
see  how  entirely  the  liberties  and  interests  of  this  nation  are  de- 
pendent upon  the  teaching  and  keeping  of  the  truths  and  insti- 
tutions of  Christianity ;  yea,  and  we  are  further  thankful  that 
we  have  still  the  eminent  men,  the  official  interpreters  of  our 
laws,  who  are  not  ashamed  to  maintain,  unblinded  by  the  new 
light  which  has  recently  been  thrown  on  this  subject,  that 
Christianity  is  the  legally  recognized  religion  of  our  Govern- 
ment." 

From  the  Appendix. 

"  That  Christianity  is  the  religion  of  this  country,  and,  as 
such,  is  recognized  in  the  whole  structure  of  its  Government, 
and  lies  at  the  foundation  of  all  our  civil  and  political  institu- 


ESTABLISHMENT   OF    RELIGION.  125 

tions  ;  in  other  words,  that  Christianity,  as  really  as  republican- 
ism, is  part  and  parcel  of  our  laws,  is  evident  from  the  following  : 

"  1.  Such  was  the  relation  of  Christianity  to  civil  government 
in  the  several  States  as  they  existed  prior  to  the  formation  of 
the  present  federal  Constitution,  and  there  is  no  evidence  that  in 
acceding  to  said  Constitution,  they  surrendered  such  relation, 
either  in  the  General,  or  in  their  own  particular  Governments. 

"  The  colonies  from  which  our  present  States  originated, 
were  planted  by  decidedly  Christian  people,  to  be  Christian 
communities,  and  with  such  views  of  the  relations  between 
civil  government  and  religion  as  were  then  universal  in  Christen- 
dom. The  experiment  of  a  nation  without  an  established  re- 
ligion had  not  then  been  tried ;  nor  did  they  think  of  instituting 
it.  Christianity,  therefore,  was  made  part  of  their  civil  institu- 
tions, as  well  in  their  minuter  branches  as  in  their  essential 
foundations. 

"  In  Massachusetts,  and  other  northern  colonies,  a  member- 
ship in  the  church  established  by  law,  was  necessary  to  citizen- 
ship in  the  Commonwealth.  In  Virginia,  and  other  southern 
colonies,  the  Church  of  England  was  by  law  established. 

"  By  and  by,  when  the  colonial  character  had  ceased,  and  that 
of  States  had  been  assumed,  the  legal  establishment  of  any  one 
form  of  Christianity,  in  preference  to  all  other  forms  of  the  same, 
was  discontinued.  In  the  adoption  of  the  present  federal  Con- 
stitution, it  was  declared,  among  the  amendments  to  that  in- 
strument, that  '  Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  es- 
tablishment of  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free  exercise  thereof.' 
This  article  in  the  general  Constitution,  and  the  similar  altera- 
tions in  the  laws  of  the  several  States  above  mentioned,  by 
which  the  legal  precedence  of  one  form  of  Christianity  over 
another  was  done  away,  are  all  the  ground  on  which  it  can  be 
asserted  that  either  our  General  or  State  Governments  have 
disowned  all  connection  with  the  Christian  religion,  as  having 
any  more  countenance  in  their  legislation  than  infidelity  or  Mo- 
hammedanism. But  is  this  a  warrantable  conclusion  1  Is  it  not 
perfectly  conceivable  that  Christianity  may  be  the  religion  of 
the  people,  and  of  the  people's  Government,  so  far  as  that  her 
great  principles  shall  be  assumed  as  the  basis  of  their  institu- 
11* 


126  THE   SABBATH. 

tions,  and  the  promotion  of  those  principles  distinctly  counte- 
nanced in  their  laws  and  customs,  at  the  same  time  that  no 
religion  is,  in  the  technical  sense,  '  established,'  and  no  one  form 
of  Christianity  is  distinguished  above  another  ?  To  call  religion 
into  connection  with  the  Government,  so  far  as  to  employ  min- 
isters of  the  gospel  as  chaplams,  at  the  public  charge,  in  Con- 
gress, and  other  public  departments,  is  decided,  by  long-estab- 
lished practice,  to  be  not  unconstitutional.  And  thus  it  is  de- 
cided that  it  was  not  intended  by  the  article  quoted  above  from 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  to  prevent  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  from  being  connected  with  religion ;  with 
some  religion  in  preference  to  all  others ;  or  to  base  its  institu- 
tions upon  the  principles  of  Christianity,  instead  of  those  of 
Deism  or  of  the  Koran. 

"  How  unlikely  were  the  several  States,  in  acceding  to  the 
present  Constitution,  to  lay  aside  all  connection  with  Christian- 
ity in  the  general  institutions  to  which  they  gave  birth,  may  be 
inferred  from  the  consideration  that  in  their  own  respective 
legislation,  a  close  relation  between  religion  and  the  Government 
had  always  subsisted ;  and  though  a  strong  aversion  had  arisen 
to  the  national  establishment  of  any  one  form  of  Christianity, 
none  had  grown  up  against  a  distinct  recognition  of  Christianity 
itself  as  a  religion  of  the  nation ;  that  the  representatives  of  the 
States  in  the  Convention  which  formed  the  present  Constitution 
were,  for  the  most  part,  men  of  decidedly  Christian  principles ; 
and  lastly,  that  in  that  Convention  sprayer  was  wont  to  he 
made.''  *  * 

"  2.  It  is  evident  from  sundry  acts  and  institutions  of  the  Gen- 
eral Government,  and  the  constitutions  of  the  several  States,  not 
only  that  Christianity  is  not  excluded  from  all  connection  with 
our  civil  institutions,  but  that  it  is  positively  asserted  as  connected 
therewith  in  a  very  important  degree. 

The  Constitution  of  Vermont  declares  the  duty  of  all  Christians 
to  observe  the  Sabbath  and  maintain  public  worship  according 
'  to  the  revealed  will  of  God.''  The  Constitution  of  Massachusetts 
expressly  assigns  as  a  reason  for  certain  provisions  that  the  en- 
couragement of  art,  science,  and  all  good  literature  tends  to  the 
honor  of  God,  the  advantage  of  the  Christian  religion,  6fc.     The 


ESTABLISHMENT   OF   RELIGION.  127 

Constitution  of  New  Jersey  provides  that  '  all  persons  professing 
a  belief  in  the  faith  of  any  Protestant  sect  shall  be  capable  of 
being  elected,'  &c.  That  of  Delaware  declares  the  duty  of  peo- 
ple to  assemble  for  public  worship,  and  that  piety  and  mo- 
rality are  thereby  promoted.  Maryland  makes  '  a  declaration 
of  belief  in  the  Christian  religion*  necessary  to  admission  to 
office.  North  Carolina  provides  that  no  persons  who  shall  deny 
the  truth  of  the  Protestant  religion  or  the  Divine  authority  of  the 
Old  or  New  Testament,  shall  be  capable  of  holding  any  office  in 
the  civil  department  of  the  state.  #  #  # 

"  Not  only  does  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  thus  as- 
sert that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  '  our  Lord'  as  a  nation,  but  it 
legislates  with  regard  to  the  Lord''s  day  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
teach  that  to  us,  as  a  nation,  it  is  our  sacred  day.  It  provides 
that  if  any  bill  shall  not  be  returned  by  the  President  within  ten 
days  [Sundays  excepted^)  after  it  shall  be  presented  to  him,'  &c. 
But  why  are  Sundays  excepted  ?  Because,  in  the  view  of  the 
law,  they  are  dies  non  juridici,  not  working  days  in  jurispru- 
dence. Why  ?  Evidently  because  the  Sabbath  is  the  holy  day 
of  the  Christian  religion.  But  the  Constitution  does  not  except 
the  Sabbath  of  the  Jews,  or  the  holy  days  of  the  Koran.  The 
inference  is  inevitable  that  it  has  adopted  the  Christian  Sabbath, 
to  the  exclusion  of  the  holy  days  of  all  other  religions,  and  has 
thus  taken  it  for  granted  that  Christianity  is  the  professed  reli- 
gion of  this  government.  In  accordance  with  this,  not  only  the 
President,  but  both  Houses  of  Congress,  the  officers  of  the  State, 
Treasury,  Navy,  and  War  Departments,  are  all  discharged  from 
work  on  the  Lord's  day ;  their  bureaus  are  closed.  The  Su- 
preme Court  of  the  United  States  is  by  law  directed  to  suspend 
its  session  on  that  day.  The  government  appoints  and  main- 
tains ministers  of  the  Gospel  as  chaplains  in  the  navy.  It  is  part 
of  the  laws  of  the  government  of  the  navy  as  enacted  by  Con- 
gress in  1800,  that  '  the  commanders  of  all  vessels  in  the  navy, 
having  chaplains  on  board,  shall  take  care  that  Divine  service  be 
performed  in  a  solemn,  orderly,  and  reverent  manner  twice  a  day, 
and  a  sermon  preached  on  Sunday  ;  and  that  they  cause  all,  or  as 
many  of  the  shifs  company  as  can  he  spared  from  duty,  to  attend 
every  performance  of  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.^ 


128  THE  SABBATH. 

"  In  the  laws  regulating  the  army  of  the  United  States,  'it  is 
earnestly  recommended  to  all  officers  and  soldiers  diligently  to 
attend  Divine  service.'  Punishment  is  provided  for  any  officer 
or  soldier  '  who  shall  behave  irreverently  at  any  place  of  Divine 
worship.'  The  officers  and  cadets  of  the  Military  Academy  of 
the  United  States  are  positively  required  by  law  to  attend  Divine 
worship  on  Sunday.  By  an  act  of  Congress  in  1 808,  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  chaplain  to  each  brigade  of  the  army  was  provided 
for.  By  act  of  Congress  in  1816,  the  appointment  and  compen- 
sation of  a  chaplain  to  each  of  its  houses  was  provided  for.  Pro- 
vision was  made  by  the  same  authority  in  1818,  for  a  chaplain  to 
the  Military  Academy  of  the  United  States.  The  head  of  the 
Department  of  War  (Governor  Cass)  in  his  official  report  for 
1832,  thus  urges  on  the  government  an  appropriation  for  the 
building  of  a  suitable  place  of  Christian  worship  at  West  Point : 
'  In  a  Christian  community  (he  says)  the  obligations  upon  this 
subject  will  not  be  questioned  ;  and  the  expense  of  providing  a 
suitable  place  of  worship,  especially  as  a  chaplain  is  maintained 
there,  cannot  be  put  in  competition  with  the  permanent  advan- 
tages of  a  course  of  religious  instruction  to  such  a  number  of  per- 
sons ;  a  large  portion  of  whom  are  at  that  critical  period  which 
determines  whether  the  future  course  of  life  shall  be  for  evil  or 
for  good.' 

"  3.  That  Christianity  is  the  professed  religion  of  this  govern- 
ment, and  as  such  is  laid  at  the  foundation  of  our  civil  and  politi- 
cal institutions,  is  the  solemnly  expressed  opinion  of  our  wisest 
official  interpreters  of  law.  The  opinion  of  Mr.  Justice 
Story,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  has  already 
been  given.  We  will  now  add  the  decisions  of  the  supreme 
courts  of  Massachusetts,  New  York,  and  Pennsylvania. 

"  Thus  speaks  the  late  Chief  Justice  Parsons,  in  delivering  the 
opinion  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Massachusetts,  in  the  case  of 
Barnes  vs.  First  Parish  in  Falmouth : — 

"  '  In  selecting  a  religion,  the  people  were  not  exposed  to  the 
hazard  of  choosing  a  false  and  defective  religious  system  ;  Chris- 
tianity had  long  been  promulgated,  its  pretensions  and  excellen- 
ces well  known,  and  its  Divine  authority  admitted.  This  reli- 
gion was  found  to  rest  on  the  basis  of  immortal  truth  ;   to  con- 


ESTABLISHMENT   OF  RELIGION.  129 

tain  a  system  of  morals  adapted  toman  in  all  possible  ranks  and 
conditions,  situations  and  circumstances,  by  conforming  to  which 
he  would  be  ameliorated  and  improved  in  all  the  relations  of 
human  life  ;  and  to  furnish  the  most  efficacious  sanctions,  by 
bringing  to  light  a  future  state  of  retribution.  And  this  religion, 
as  understood  by  Protestants,  tending  by  its  efforts  to  make  CA^ery 
man,  submitting  to  its  influences,  a  better  husband,  parent, 
child,  neighbor,  citizen,  and  magistrate,  was  by  the  people  estab- 
lished as  a  fundamental  and  essential  part  of  their  Constitution.' 

"  Thus  speaks  Chancellor  Kent,  in  delivering  the  opinion  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  New  York,  1818,  in  a  trial  for  blasphemy, 
— (People  vs.  Puggles.)  After  saying  that  '  contumelious  re- 
proaches and  profane  ridicule  of  Christ  and  the  sacred  Scriptures 
(which  are  treated  as  blasphemy)  are  offences  punishable  at 
common  law,'  he  proceeds  : 

"  '  The  people  of  this  State,  in  common  with  the  people  of 
this  country,  profess  the  general  doctrines  of  Christianity  as  the 
rule  of  their  faith  and  practice ;  and  to  scandalize  the  author  of 
these  doctrines  is  not  only  in  a  religious  point  of  view  extremely 
impious,  but  even  in  respect  to  the  obligations  due  to  society,  is 
a  gross  violation  of  decency  and  good  order.' 

"  Again :  '  Though  the  Constitution  has  discarded  religious 
establishments,  it  does  not  forbid  judicial  cognizance  of  those 
offences  against  religion  and  morality  which  have  no  reference 
to  any  such  establishment  or  to  any  particular  form  of  govern- 
ment, but  are  punishable,  because  they  strike  at  the  root  of  mo- 
ral obligation,  and  weaken  the  security  of  the  social  ties.  The 
legislative  exposition  of  the  Constitution  is  conformable  to  this 
view  of  it.  Christianity,  in  its  enlarged  sense,  as  a  religion  re- 
vealed and  taught  in  the  Bible,  is  not  unknown  to  our  law. 
The  statute  for  preventing  immorality  (Laws,  vol.  i.  p.  224) 
consecrates  the  first  day  of  the  week  as  holy  time,  and  considers 
the  violation  of  it  immoral.  The  act  concerning  oaths  (Laws, 
vol.  i.  p.  405)  recognizes  the  common  law  mode  of  administer- 
ing an  oath,  '  by  laying  the  hand  on  and  kissing  the  gospels.' 
Surely,  then,  we  are  bound  to  conclude  that  wicked  and  mali- 
cious words,  writings,  and  actions,  which  go  to  vilify  those  gos- 
pels, continue,  as  at  common  law,  to  be  an  offence  against  the 


130  THE   SABBATH. 

public  peace  and  safety.  They  are  inconsistent  with  the  reve- 
rence due  to  the  administration  of  an  oath,  and,  among  other 
evil  consequences,  they  tend  to  lessen  in  the  public  mind  its  re- 
ligious sanction.' 

"All  the  justices  concurred  in  this  decision. 

"  In  1821,  when  a  convention  of  New  York  revised  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  State,  the  decision  above  quoted  was  violently 
assailed  by  General  Root,  as  hostile  to  liberty  of  conscience, 
when  its  learned  author  with  equal  clearness,  defended  it.  The 
following  is  an  extract  from  his  speech  on  that  occasion  : 

"  '  The  authors  of  our  Constitution  never  meant  to  extirpate 
Christianity,  more  than  they  meant  to  extirpate  public  decency. 
It  is  in  a  degree  recognized  by  the  statute  for  the  observance 
of  the  Lord's  day,  and  for  the  mode  of  administering  oaths. 
The  court  never  intended  to  interfere  with  any  religious  creeds 
or  sects,  or  with  religious  discussions.  They  meant  to  preserve, 
-so  far  as  it  came  within  their  cognizance,  the  morals  of  the  coun- 
try, which  rested  on  Christianity  as  the  foundation.  They 
meant  to  apply  the  principles  of  common  law  against  blasphemy, 
which  they  did  not  believe  the  Constitution  ever  meant  to  abol- 
ish. Are  we  not  a  Christian  people  ?  Do  not  ninety-nine  hun- 
dredths of  our  fellow  citizens  hold  the  general  truths  of  the  Bible 
to  be  dear  and  sacred  ?  To  attack  them  with  ribaldry  and  ma- 
lice, in  the  presence  of  these  very  believers,  must  and  ought  to 
be  a  serious  public  offence.  It  disturbs,  and  annoys,  and  offends, 
and  shocks,  and  corrupts  the  public  taste.  The  common  law, 
as  applied  to  correct  such  profanity,  is  the  application  of  com- 
mon reason  and  natural  justice  to  the  security  of  the  peace  and 
good  order  of  society.' 

"  Thus  speaks  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
case  of  Updegraph  ^5.  the  Commonwealth,  (trial  on  an  indict- 
ment for  blasphemy : 

" '  Christianity,  general  Christianity,  is,  and  always  has  been, 
a  part  of  the  common  law  of  Pennsylvania ;  not  Christianity 
founded  on  any  particular  religious  tenets;  not  Christianity  with 
an  established  church  and  tithes,  and  spiritual  courts ;  but  Chris- 
tianity with  liberty  of  conscience  to  all  men.  The  first  legisla- 
tive act  in  the  colony  was  the  recognition  of  the  Christian  reli- 


ESTABLISHMENT  OF  RELIGION.  131 

gion,  and  establishment  of  liberty  of  conscience.  *  *  This  is 
the  Christianity  of  the  common  law,  incorporated  into  the  great 
law  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  thus  it  is  irrefragably  proved  that  the 
laws  and  institutions  of  this  State  are  built  on  the  foundation  of 
reverence  for  Christianity.  On  this  the  Constitution  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  has  made  no  alteration,  nor  in  the  great  body  of  the 
laws  which  was  an  incorporation  of  the  common  law  doctrine 
of  Christianity,  as  suited  to  the  condition  of  the  colony ;  and 
without  which  no  free  government  can  long  exist.  Under  the 
Constitution,  penalties  against  cursing  and  swearing  have  been 
exacted.  If  Christianity  was  abolished,  all  false  oaths,  all  tests 
by  oath  in  the  common  form  by  the  book,  would  cease  to  be  in- 
dictable as  perjury.  The  indictment  must  state  the  oath  to  be 
on  the  holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God.  *  *  No  society  can 
tolerate  a  wilful  and  despiteful  attempt  to  subvert  its  religion, 
no  more  than  it  would  to  break  down  its  laws,  a  general,  mali- 
cious, and  deliberate  intent  to  overthrow  Christianity,  general 
Christianity.  This  is  the  line  of  indication,  where  crime  com- 
mences, and  the  offence  becomes  the  subject  of  penal  visitation. 
The  species  of  offence  may  be  classed  under  the  followmg  heads. 
1.  Denying  the  being  and  providence  of  God.  2.  Contumelious 
reproaches  of  Jesus  Christ ;  profane  and  malevolent  scoffing  at 
the  Scriptures,  or  exposing  any  part  of  them  to  contempt  and 
ridicule.  3.  Certain  immoralities  tending  to  subvert  all  religion 
and  morality,  which  are  the  foundation  of  all  governments. 
Without  these  restraints,  no  free  government  could  long  exist. 
It  is  liberty  run  mad,  to  declaim  against  the  punishment  of  these 
ofTences,  or  to  assert  that  the  punishment  is  hostile  to  the  spii-it 
and  genius  of  our  Government.  They  are  far  from  being  the 
friends  to  liberty  who  support  this  doctrine :  and  the  promulga- 
tion of  such  opinions,  and  general  receipt  of  them  among  the 
people,  would  be  the  sure  forerunner  of  anarchy,  and  finally  of 
despotism.  No  free  government  now  exists  in  the  world  unless 
where  Christianity  is  acknowledged,  and  is  the  religion  of  the 
country.  Christianity  is  part  of  the  common  law  of  this  State. 
It  is  not  proclaimed  by  the  commanding  voice  of  any  human  su- 
perior, but  expressed  m  the  calm  and  mild  accents  of  customary 
law.     Its  foundations  are  broad,  and  strong,  and  deep ;  they  are 


132  THE  SABBATH. 

laid  in  the  authority,  the  interest,  the  affections  of  the  people. 
Waiving  all  questions  of  a  hereafter,  it  is  the  purest  system  of 
morality,  the  firmest  auxiliary,  and  only  stable  support  of  all 
human  laws.  It  is  impossible  to  administer  the  laws  without 
taking  the  religion  which  the  defendant  in  error  has  scoffed  at, 
that  Scripture  which  he  has  reviled,  as  their  basis  ;  to  lay  aside 
these,  is  at  least  to  weaken  their  confidence  in  human  veracity 
so  essential  to  the  purposes  of  society,  and  without  which  no 
question  of  property  could  be  decided,  and  no  criminal  brought 
to  justice ;  an  oath  in  the  common  form  on  a  discredited  book 
would  be  a  most  idle  ceremony.  No  preference  is  given  by  law 
to  any  particular  persuasion.  Protection  is  given  to  all  by  our 
laws.  It  is  only  the  malicious  reviler  of  Christianity,  who  is 
punished.  While  our  own  free  Constitution  secures  liberty  of 
conscience  and  freedom  of  religious  worship  to  all,  it  is  not  ne- 
cessary to  maintain  that  any  man  should  have  the  right  publicly 
to  vilify  the  religion  of  his  neighbors  and  of  the  country.'  " 

See  further  remarks  on  this  subject  in  "  Objections  Answered," 
Objection  No.  7,  Chap.  V. 

Practice  of  Congress. 

It  has  already  been  said  that  this  law  is  opposed  to  the  prac- 
tice of  the  national  Legislature.  They  claim  exemption  from 
their  ordinary  labors  on  Sunday,  while  compelling  their  servants 
in  the  various  Postoffices  of  the  country  to  keep  open  doors  and 
transact  business  every  day  in  the  week.  During  the  last  ses- 
sion of  Congress,  (on  the  12th  of  May  and  the  8th  of  July,)  the 
House  was  not  permitted  to  proceed  with  business,  on  Sunday 
morning,  by  the  steady  and  firm  resistance  of  a  large  number  of 
members,  who  refused  to  recognize  the  propriety  of  proceeding 
with  their  ordinary  business  on  that  day.  The  votes  for  ad- 
journment were  nearly  equally  divided,  and  more  than  once  lost 
by  the  casting  vote  of  the  chair.  Members  then  declared  that 
they  would  leave  the  house  and  not  return  before  Monday  morn- 
ing, unless  brought  in  by  force,  and  very  properly  contended  that 
no  authority  existed  to  compel  their  attendance  on  the  Lord's 
day ;  and  the  House,  on  both  occasions,  was  compelled  to  ad- 
journ, though  in  the  last  instance  not  until  eight  o'clock,  a.  m., 


THE  LAW  IS  UNJUST.  133 

and  the  Senate  at  four.  Members  undoubtedly  considered  it 
unconstitutional,  impious,  and  unjust  to  do  business  on  Sunday  ; 
for  it  cannot  be  supposed  that  they  were  moved  by  selfish  con- 
siderations in  regard  to  their  present  ease.  Now,  since  those 
men  would  not  consent  to  labor  a  few  hours  on  one  or  two  Sun- 
days in  a  year,  with  what  consistency  can  they  compel  many 
thousands  of  their  constituents  to  labor  every  Sunday  in  the 
year  ?  The  history  of  this  transaction  inspires  the  hope  that 
the  next  Congress  will,  without  hesitation,  grant  the  prayer  of 
the  petition.  Then  if  men  violate  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath, 
they  would  do  it  on  their  own  individual  responsibility,  and  not 
under  the  sanction  of  national  law. 

The  Law  is  Unjust^ 

Because  it  is  in  derogation  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  and 
closes  the  door  of  office  in  a  Christian  nation,  against  Christian 
citizens;  because  it  impairs  the  rigbts  of  individuals,  secured  by 
common  and  statute  law,  making  Sunday  a  day  of  rest  from 
labor.  The  law  is  unjust,  not  only  in  regard  to  Postmasters, 
but  in  regard  to  all  classes,  inasmuch  as  it  impairs  the  obliga- 
tion pf  the  Sabbath,  and  will  form  an  excuse  for  requiring  labor 
on  that  day,  from  those  persons  who  most  need  the  influence 
and  the  rest  which  it  was  designed  to  give ;  thus  opening  a 
wide  field  for  the  exercise  of  oppression,  and  the  debasement  of 
the  working  classes  of  the  community. 

Again:  there  is  in  this  law  manifest  impropriety  and  injustice, 
because  it  is  opposed  to  the  law  of  God ;  and,  consequently,  not 
only  impious,  but,  in  the  very  nature  of  the  case,  void.  Our 
laws,  and  all  good  laws,  are  founded  on  the  religion  of  the  Bible ; 
and  this  law  being  against  that  religion,  has  no  claim  to  respect. 
No  legislative  body  on  earth  can  make  it  legal,  or  binding  upon 
a  single  individual.  Can  the  civil  law,  deriving  all  its  force 
and  authority  from  the  moral  law,  transcend  and  contradict  it  ? 

HARMON  KINGSBURY. 

Cleveland,  September^  1838.*' 

*  Owing  to  feeble  health,  the  author  has  had  assistance  from  Rev.  J. 
C.  Lord,  Buffalo,  in  arranging  some  of  the  facts  and  arguments  in  the 
foregoing  Appendix. 
12 


134  THE   SABBATH. 


Twenty-fifth  Congress.  Third  Session. 

PETITION    OF    TRUMAN   HASTINGS   AND   OTHERS, 

Praying  the  repeal  of  that  part  of  the  act  of  Congress^  regulat- 
ing the  Postoffice  Department,  which  requires  Postoffices  to  be 
kept  open  on  Sundays. 

December  12,  1838. 

Referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Postoffice  and  Post-roads,  and 
ordered  to  be  printed. 

To  the  Senate   and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States,  in  Congress  assembled  : 
Your  petitioners,  T.  Hastings,  J.  0.  Choules,  J.  C.  Lord,  Thomas 
Famham,  Wm.  R.  Allen,  A.  T.  Hopkins,  Elisha  Hayward,  J. 
Mayhew,  H.  G-.  Nott,  citizens  of  Buffalo,  members  of  the  ex- 
ecutive committee  of  the  American  Bethel  Society,  an  associ- 
ation uniting  a  majority  of  the  principal  denominations  of 
Christians  in  the  United  States, 
Respectfully  Shoiv  : 

That  the  society  represented  by  your  petitioners  is  in- 
tended for  the  benefit  of  those  engaged  in  the  business  of  inland 
navigation  in  the  United  States,  whose  moral  condition  has  long 
occupied  the  attention  of  Christians  and  philanthropists.  Your 
petitioners  are  persuaded  that  the  startling  increase  of  vice  and 
immorality  among  this  class  of  citizens  has  resulted  from  the 
Sabbath  desecration  which  is  almost  universal  upon  the  canals, 
rivers,  and  lakes  of  the  United  States. 

And  while  your  petitioners  do  not  seek  any  legislation  from 
Congress  on  the  subject  of  this  evil,  believing  that  the  laws  of 
the  States,  and  a  wholesome  public  sentiment,  are  the  proper 
correctives,  they  nevertheless  feel  bound  to  represent  to  your 
honorable  body,  that  the  existence  of  a  national  law,  enforcing 
labor  on  Sunday,  by  compelling  Postmasters  to  violate  that  day, 
is  giving  the  sanction  of  Congress  to  an  immorality,  shielding  it 
from  the  operation  of  the  Legislatures  of  the  States,  and  hin- 
dering the  efforts  of  the  benevolent.  If  men,  in  the  practice  of 
any  sin,  can  entrench  themselves  behind  law,  it  is  next  to  im- 


PETITION    OF    TRUMAN   HASTINGS    AND    OTHERS.  135 

possible  to  accomplish  their  reformation ;  and  your  petitioners 
are  miwilling  to  believe  that  Congress  would  intentionally  sanc- 
tion a  practice  which  violates  an  express  command  of  God,  and 
which  is  prohibited,  as  an  immorality,  by  at  least  twenty-three 
States  of  the  Union. 

Your  petitioners  believe  that  there  is  no  necessity  for  this 
law,  even  on  the  supposition  that  public  opinion  demands  that 
Postoffices  should  be  open  on  Sunday,  because  its  repeal  would 
leave  the  matter  to  the  discretion  of  the  Postoffice  Department, 
which  has,  in  fact,  independently  of  the  law,  always  exercised 
its  authority  over  the  whole  subject.  If,  then,  the  Sabbath 
should  contmue  to  be  desecrated,  it  could  not  be  charged  upon 
the  legislation  of  Congress,  nor  claim  the  express  sanction  of  law. 

Your  petitioners  believe  the  law  to  be  impolitic,  unconstitu- 
tional, and  unjust,  for  reasons  fully  set  forth  in  the  petition  of 
Harmon  Kingsbury,  already  before  your  honorable  body,  and 
the  Appendix  thereto,  which  your  petitioners  pray  may  be  re- 
ceived and  considered  as  a  part  of  this  petition. 

Your  petitioners  appeal  to  your  honorable  body,  as  the  repre- 
sentatives of  a  Christian  nation,  to  repeal  a  law  which  renders 
the  violation  of  a  fundamental  principle  of  Christianity  impera- 
tive ;  which  compels  12,000  citizens  to  bind  themselves  by  an 
oath  to  the  desecration  of  the  Sabbath  ;  which  directly  interferes 
with  the  rights  of  conscience  ;  which  sanctions  the  violation  of 
the  law  of  God ;  the  municipal  laws  of  the  States,  and  para- 
lyzes the  efforts  of  the  friends  of  order,  morality,  and  religion. 

Your  petitioners  appeal  to  your  honorable  body,  as  the  legis- 
lators of  a  nation  whose  territory  is  destined  to  be  occupied  by  a 
hundred  millions  of  souls.  Posterity  demands  of  you  that  you 
lay  carefully  the  foundations  upon  which  depend  the  perpetuity 
of  our  institutions,  and  the  continuation  of  our  civil  and  religious 
liberties.  We  inherit  them  from  a  people  distinguished  by  their 
adherence  to  the  morality  of  the  Bible,  and  by  a  legislation  con- 
formed to  the  spirit  of  Christianity.  The  fathers  of  English 
liberty  were  the  Puritans.  The  founders  of  our  republic  were 
descended  from  the  same  ancestry,  and  deeply  imbued  with  the 
same  spirit. 

Is  there  any  thing  in  the  history  of  European  convulsions  for 


136  THE    SABBATH. 

the  last  fifty  years,  which  should  embolden  us  to  depart  from 
the  principles  and  practice  of  our  ancestors,  by  legislating  away 
the  Sabbath  ?  Will  your  honorable  body,  claiming  for  your- 
selves the  rest  of  the  Sabbath,  deny  it  to  any  portion  of  your 
constituents  ?  Will  you  permit  such  a  precedent  to  remain  on 
your  statute  book  ?  We  cannot  think  you  will ;  but  confidently 
expect,  from  the  intelligence  and  patriotism  of  ygur  honorable 
body,  the  repeal  of  this  law.  And  we  humbly  pray  that  this 
petition,  and  the  documents  accompanying  it,  may  be  referred  to 
a  select  committee,  that  the  subject  may  be  fully  examined  and 
reported,  and  receive  that  attention  which  its  importance  and 
the  interest  it  has  awakened  demands  ;  and  your  petitioners,  &c. 
(Signed.) 
Buffalo,  September  25,  1838. 


CONGRESSIONAL  SESSIONS  ON  SUNDAY. 

In  the  petitions  last  presented,  the  fact  that  Congress  had  con- 
tinued its  sessions  into  the  day  of  rest  was  alluded  to.  The  sub- 
joined remarks,  by  Rev.  E.  F.  Hatfield,  of  New  York,  publish- 
ed in  a  periodical  of  that  city,  will  be  read  Vv^th  interest. 

"In  1829,  an  immense  number  of  petitions  for  the  repeal  of 
the  law,  were  presented  to  Congress  from  every  section  of  the 
land.  And  though  it  was  admitted  '  that  the  history  of  legisla- 
tion in  this  country  afforded  no  instance  in  which  a  stronger  ex- 
pression had  been  made,  if  regard  was  had  to  the  number,  the 
wealth,  or  the  intelligence  of  the  petitioners,'  yet  Congress  re- 
fused to  grant  their  prayer.  After  a  protracted  discussion,  the 
representatives  of  a  Christian  people  deliberately  determined  to 
continue  this  national  violation  of  the  Sabbath.  Thus,  by  a  sol- 
emn act  of  legislation,  the  twentieth  Congress  refused  to  do  hom- 
age to  the  Most  High  God. 

"  It  was  to  be  expected  that  Congress  would  soon  cease  to  show 
any  outward  regard  at  all  for  this  sacred  day,  which,  under  penal- 
ty of  removal  from  office,  they  had  already  required  every  Post- 
master in  the  land,  and  his  assistants,  to  desecrate.  According- 
ly, we  find  the  very  next  Congress  sitting,  for  the  ordinary'-  trans- 


SUNDAY   SESSIONS.  137 

action  of  public  business  on  the  Sabbath  morning  previous  to  the 
close  of  their  first  session,  until  four  or  five  o'clock.  The  twen- 
ty-second Congress  closed  its  existence  on  Monday,  March  4th, 
1833.  On  the  Saturday  evenmg  previous,  Mr.  Poindcxter  mov- 
ed, that  when  the  Senate  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to  meet  on  Sunday 
morning  at  10  o'clock.  The  motion  was  opposed  with  great 
earnestness  by  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  of  New  Jersey,  and  advocated 
by  Mr.  Clay,  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  C.  said  that  '  he  professed  as 
great  a  regard  for  the  Sabbath,  and  the  laws  of  God,  as  any 
man ;  but  he  regarded  legislation  in  the  same  light  as  an  emi- 
nent American  professor  did  the  science  of  mathematics,  as  quite 
sacred  enough  to  be  pursued  on  the  Sabbath.'  Such  a  profane 
sentiment  could  not  then  be  digested  by  an  American  Senate. 

"  The  motion  was  lost — thirteen  voting  in  favor,  and  twenty- 
three  against  it.  Both  Houses  of  Congress,  however,  continued 
their  sittings  that  night,  and  until  five  o'clock  on  Sabbath  morning. 

"  The  twenty-fourth  Congress,  during  its  first  session,  en- 
croached, in  two  instances,  on  the  Sabbath.  On  Saturday, 
March  26th,  in  the  case  of  a  contested  election,  it  was  determined 
on  one  side  not  to  adjourn  without  a  final  vote  on  the  question, 
and  on  the  other  side,  the  day  was  spent  in  speaking  against 
time.  And  thus,  for  the  merest  party  purposes,  the  sitting  was 
protracted  until  half-past  four  o'clock  on  Sabbath  morning.  The 
session  closed  on  Monday,  July  10th.  The  House  of  Represent- 
atives continued  its  sitting  on  the  morning  of  the  previous  Sab- 
bath until  five  o'clock. 

"  The  second  session  of  the  twenty-fifth  Congress  was  closed  on 
Monday,  July  9th,  in  a  much  more  disgraceful  manner.  The  Sen- 
ate were  sitting  on  the  Sabbath  previous  until  four  in  the  morning, 
and  the  House  until  eight  in  the  morning.  After  midnight  many 
oi  the  members  of  the  House  withdrew,  some  to  their  rest,  others 
to  get  ready  to  leave  the  city  in  the  cars  at  six  o'clock  on  Sabbath 
morning.  A  call  of  the  House  was  most  rigidly  enforced.  The 
Sergeant-at-Arms  was  sent  to  arrest  the  absent  members.  The 
sixteen  who  were  found  at  the  depot,  resisted  the  order,  and  took 
their  departure.  They  were  held  to  answer,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  next  session,  for  their  conduct  in  refusing  to  sit  for 
the  transaction  of  public  business  on  the  Sabbath.  Other  mem- 
12* 


138  THE  SABBATH. 

bers,  who  had  been  elsewhere  arrested,  were  the  next  day  re- 
lieved, by  an  act  of  clemency,  from  the  payment  of  fines.  Just 
before  the  adjournment,  at  eight  o'clock,  two  members  from 
Tennessee  came  to  an  open  and  violent  rupture.  One  of  them 
had  been  arrested,  and  arraigned  before  the  House  for  his  ab- 
sence, but  was  excused  on  payment  of  the  penalty. 

"  The  third  session  of  the  same  Congress  has  but  recently 
closed.  On  the  Saturday  evening  previous  a  motion  was  made 
by  Mr.  Adams,  of  Massachusetts,  that  when  the  House  adjourn, 
it  shall  adjourn  to  meet  on  Sunday,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
The  motion  did  not  prevail,  eighty-nine  voting  in  favor,  and 
ninety-one  against  it.  Both  Houses  continued  their  sittings  until 
four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  Sabbath.  At  three  o'clock,  in 
the  Senate,  a  joint  resolution  was  presented  by  Mr.  Buchanan, 
of  Pennsylvania,  that  when  both  Houses  adjourn,  they  adjourn  to 
meet  to-morrow  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  In  presenting  the  resolu- 
tion, he  declared  that  '  if  the  Apostle  Paul  himself  were  on 
earth,  and  could  see  the  number  of  bills  for  the  relief  of  suffering 
and  deserving  claimants  on  the  justice  or  generosity  of  govern- 
ment, he  would  number  the  measures  to  be  considered  on  the 
Sabbath  among  works  of  charity  and  mercy.'  The  resolu- 
tion was  adopted  by  both  houses ;  and  accordingly,  after  six 
hours'  recess,  they  met  again,  and  continued,  with  a  very  short 
intermission,  the  transaction  of  business  until  after  midnight.  It 
was  the  busiest  day  of  the  session  ;  and,  to  the  shame  of  the  na- 
tion be  it  spoken,  there  was  a  very  good  attendance.  We  are 
happy  to  learn  that  about  twenty  members  '  remembered  the  Sab- 
bath day,'  and  declined  breaking  it  by  attending  to  neglected  legis- 
lation. That  Sabbath  day  was,  by  an  act  of  Congress,  blotted  out 
from  the  sacred  calendar.  The  question  came  before  them  dis- 
tinctly, as  it  never  had  done,  but  in  one  instance  before — '  Shall 
we,  or  shall  we  not,  trample  the  Sabbath  under  foot  ?'  and  the 
answer  was,  '  Aye,  we  will.''  Like  the  proud  tyrant  of  Egypt, 
they  said,  in  fact,  '  Who  is  the  Lord,  that  we  should  obey  his 
voice  ?    We  know  not  the  Lord,  neither  will  we  keep  his  law.' 

"  And  what  will  be  the  end  of  these  things  ?  Congress  has 
made  rapid  progress  in  this  matter  for  ten  years — more  than  in 
forty  years  before.     And  during  ten  years,  we  have  been  repeat- 


SUNDAY   SESSIONS.  139 

edly  scourged.  '  Shall  I  not  visit  for  these  things  ?  saith  the 
Lord ;  and  shall  not  my  soul  be  avenged  on  such  a  nation  as 
this?' 

"  In  a  republic,  a  correct  judgment  concerning  the  morals  of  a 
people  may  be  formed  by  ascertaining  what  is  the  character  of 
their  magistrates.  A  community  must  themselves  have  become 
corrupt,  before  they  can  consent  to  place,  or  uphold  in  office,  men 
of  acknowledged  immorality.  That  people  can  have  but  little 
regard  for  the  authority  of  God,  who  are  willing  to  bestow  the 
highest  offices  in  their  gift  on  Sabbath-breakers  and  despisers  of 
religion.  These  are  their  most  precious  benefactions.  They  can 
bestow  no  greater.  They  can  give  no  more  signal  manifesta- 
tions of  their  approbation.  And  yet,  though  free  to  choose,  they 
select  from  the  vast  multitude  those  to  receive  these  favors  who 
are  actuated  by  not  the  least  regard  to  the  glory  of  God.  No 
earthly  considerations  could  have  induced  the  early  settlers  of 
New  England  thus  to  have  rewarded  impiety.  Office-holders 
study  well  the  prejudices  and  preferences  of  the  men  by  whom 
they  are  kept  in  office.  If  they  knew,  that  for  every  enactment 
of  impiety,  on  their  return  from  the  seat  of  legislation,  they 
should  hear  the  voice  of  indignant  rebuke  from  every  hamlet  of 
their  district,  and  should  be  dropped  at  the  next  election,  they 
would  not  dare  to  defy  the  God  of  heaven.  The  impious  legis- 
lator represents  a  mass  of  impiety  at  home.  This  he  knows,  and 
is  thus  emboldened  in  his  course  of  sin. 

"  The  members  of  the  last  Congress  knew  what  they  were  do- 
ing, when  they  blotted  out  one  Sabbath  day  from  the  calendar. 
They  well  knew  the  character  of  the  men  whom  they  represented. 
Never  had  they  heard  their  constituents  declare,  that  a  regard 
for  the  moral  law  was  an  indispensable  qualification  for  office. 

"  That  these  men  did  not  reckon  without  their  host,  is  painful- 
ly evident.  Scarcely  a  voice  has  been  raised  to  rebuke  this  high- 
handed profanity.  Very  few  of  the  conductors  of  the  press  have 
sounded  a  single  note  of  warning.  What  else  could  we  expect 
from  the  daily  press,  that  know  no  Sabbath  ?  They  could  not 
speak,  except  in  a  very  few  instances,  without  sealing  their  own 
condemnation.     But  the  weekly  papers  had  passed  it  by ;  and 


140  THE   SABBATH. 

even  our  religious  periodicals  have  given  but  a  paragraph  or  two 
of  faint  rebuke.  Some  of  them  which,  week  by  week,  made  the 
land  to  ring  with  notes  of  warning,  when  a  legislator  from  Maine 
was  shot  down  in  cold  blood,  are  almost  silent  in  regard  to  this 
more  signal  defiance  of  the  Almighty.  It  is  not  talked  of  in  the 
marts  of  business,  nor  the  place  of  concourse,  and  scarcely  in  the 
great  congregation.  The  people  slumber.  The  slightest  breach 
of  the  Federal  Constitution  is  enough  to  wake  up  the  Union — a 
thousand  presses  teem  with  the  complaints  of  an  injured  people. 
But  the  constitution  of  God's  moral  government,  the  most  sacred 
articles  in  that  constitution,  may  be  trodden  under  foot  by  the 
representatives  of  a  nominally  Christian  people,  and  the  nation 
feels  it  not.     '  All  things  continue  as  they  were.' 

"  But  we  have  slept  long  enough.  It  is  time  to  act.  Infideli- 
ty has  gained  a  signal  triumph.  If  the  people  will  bear  this  en- 
grossment of  the  Sabbath  for  national  legislation,  if  they  will 
take  it  patiently,  and  smile  upon  their  guilty  representatives, 

'  Next  year  the  fatal  precedent  will  plead.' 

The  Sabbath  will  be  taken  whenever  a  corrupt  legislature  may 
think  that  it  is  wanted.  '  Thus  on,  till'  its  sacredness  shall  be 
gone,  and  the  occurrence  which  we  now  deplore  shall,  by  its 
frequency,  cease  to  excite  a  feeling  of  surprise.  And  if  Con- 
gress will  sit  on  the  Sabbath,  why  should  not  our  State  legisla- 
tures ?  What  is  to  hinder  them  ?  particularly  in  those  sections 
of  the  land  where  religious  restraint  is  but  feeble.  And  when  it 
has  become  a  common  occurrence  in  the  west  and  south-west, 
how  long  will  it  be  before  the  venerable  State  House  of  Boston 
shall  witness  such  a  sight  ?  And  when  the  high  places  have  be- 
come thus  polluted,  what  is  to  withstand  the  streams  of  corrup- 
tion that  shall  thence  be  poured  down  upon  the  land  ?  Our 
public  men,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  will,  without  re- 
straint, and  at  length  without  remorse,  pursue  their  own  course 
of  business  or  pleasure  on  the  Sabbath  day. 

"  So  rapidly  have  the  temptations  to  this  vice  accumulated 
among  us  for  the  last  ten  years,  and  so  large  have  been  the  im- 
portations of  habitual  Sabbath-breakers  from  lands  where  the 


SUNDAY    SESSIONS.  141 

pilgrim's  Sabbath  is  unknown,  that  the  evil  has  become  of  the 
most  alarming  kind.  The  standard  must  be  lifted  up.  The 
hosts  of  God  must  rally  round  it.  Every  one  of  the  people  of  the 
Most  High  must  take  his  stand — must  search  himself,  and  see  if, 
in  this  respect,  there  be  any  evil  way  in  him,  and  break  off  his 
sins  by  righteousness." 

From  the  above  facts  is  there  not  conclusive  evidence  that  this 
institution  is  losing  its  hold  on  the  public  conscience  ?  At  first 
Congress  only  occasionally,  and  for  a  few  minutes,  or  at  most, 
hours,  desecrated,  in  this  public  manner,  that  holy  rest.  The 
case  is  parallel  with  that  of  Sunday  mails,  boats,  and  stages. 
They  were  started  at  first,  fearfully,  cautiously,  and  hesitatingly; 
but,  gaining  by  little  and  little,  a  thousand  mails  can  now  be 
sent;  a  thousand  boats  and  stages  can  be  kept  in  motion, 
the  whole  of  that  day,  and  during  all  the  Sundays  in  the  year, 
instead  of  occasionally  an  hour  or  two  on  one  of  them.  So  Con- 
gress now,  with  little  apparent  compunction,  can  hold  its  sessions 
during  a  whole  Sunday;  and  soon,  unless  the  act  should  meet 
with  merited  rebuke  from  all  parts  of  the  nation,  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  they  will  be  as  ready  to  do  business  on  that,  as  on 
any  other  day  of  the  week. 

What  would  be  the  result,  should  every  friend  of  the  Sabbath, 
publish  to  the  world,  that  the  men  who  thus  trampled  on  the 
laws  of  the  Sabbath,  are  unworthy  our  confidence,  and  should 
never  again  be  elected  to  enact  and  administer  laws  for  a  Chris- 
tian people  ?  No  national  legislature,  during  the  life  of  this 
generation,  would  be  guilty  of  the  same  impropriety.  And  can 
men,  who  thus  wantonly  violate  the  laws  of  God  and  man,  be 
safely  trusted  as  the  leaders  and  guides  of  our  national  concerns  ? 
Can  God  approve  of  such  conduct  ?  Will  he  bless  a  people  who 
do,  and  who  countenance  such  highhanded  rebellion  ?  Will  he 
hold  the  man  guiltless  who,  under  such  circumstances,  feels  no 
anxiety  for  the  safety  and  honor  of  his  holy  day  ?  And  do  the 
friends  of  the  Sabbath  yet  sleep  ?  As  well,  and  perhaps  more 
safely  might  they  sleep  on  Etna  or  Vesuvius.  The  man  who 
can  now  hold  his  peace,  and  neglect  to  Qry  aloud,  gives  little,  if 
any  evidence,  that  he  is  awake  to  his  duty,  or  has  a  proper  re- 
gard for  the  welfare  of  his  country,  or  the  honor  of  his  God. 


142  THE    SABBATH. 

Philanthropist,  Patriot,  Christian,  where  are  your  sensibilities, 
your  sense  of  obligation  to  your  country,  to  the  world,  and  to 
God  ?  Is  it  possible  that  you  will  longer  imitate  the  criminal 
example  of  those  who,  by  their  apathy  and  silence  suffered  Sun- 
day mails,  boats,  stages,  and  rail-cars  to  prevail  in  this  land  ?  Is 
it  possible  that  you  will  thus  aid  m  introducing  a  practice  which, 
it  is  to  be  feared,  will  result  in  a  total  disregard  of  that  day,  not 
only  by  our  national  legislature,  but  by  all  the  departments  of 
our  government,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest !  Longer  silence 
on  your  part  is  treason : — treason  against  your  country,  the 
church,  and  the  court  of  heaven.  And  it  is  difficult  to  know  which 
are  most  in  the  fault,  you  or  the  more  immediate  aggressors. 

Watchman,  "  where  art  thou  ?"  comes  sounding  from  above, 
with  a  voice  of  loudest  thunder,  reverberating  from  center  to  cir- 
cumference, and  do  you  not  hear  it  ?  Or,  hearing,  is  it  unheed- 
ed ?  Awake,  awake,  for  the  corner  stones  of  this  republic  are  be- 
ing removed ;  the  last  hope  of  the  good  man  is  flickeruig,  and 
ready  to  be  extmguished.  Awake,  or  the  celestial  lights  of  re- 
publican liberty  and  Protestantism  will  grow  less  and  less  bril- 
liant until  they  are  shrouded  in  the  thick  darkness  of  infidelity 
and  atheism.  And,  for  the  consequences  of  such  a  calamity, 
hastened  by  your  neglect,  prepare  to  render  an  account  at  the 
judgment.  God  cannot  hold  you  guiltless  for  such  neglect  of 
duty. 

governor  ELLSWORTH. 

We  add  the  following  appropriate  remarks  on  the  same  sub- 
ject, by  Gov.  Ellsworth,  of  Conn.,  in  his  Message  to  the  Legis- 
ture  of  that  State. 

"  Connected  with  Congress  as  we  are,  and  feeling  its  influence 
and  example,  it  will  not  be  deemed  presumptuous  to  remark — 
*  *  Its  late  appropriation  of  the  day  of  rest  and  devotion,  to 
secular  business,  is  a  disregard  of  an  institution  of  divine  ap- 
pointment, consecrated  in  the  affections  and  hallowed  by  the 
usages  of  a  large  portion  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States. 
The  Christian  religion  owes  its  extension,  and  its  power  over 
the  consciences  of  men,  to  the  institution  and  influence  of  the 
Sabbath.    Repeal  that  institution,  or  treat  with  uidifference  its 


SABBATH  UNION. 


143 


observance,  as  was  done  in  the  National  Convention  of  France, 
and  you  banish  religion,  as  they  did,  from  the  land.  Let  me 
say,  fellow  citizens,  it  is  not  political  power  ;  it  is  not  extent  of 
territory ;  nor  accumulated  wealth  ;  nor  knowledge,  nor  science, 
alone,  which  renders  a  people  really  great  and  truly  happy. 
'  The  most  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdoms  of  men,  and  giveth  it 
to  whomsoever  he  will." 


SABBATH  UNION. 

"  '  The  General  Union  for  promoting  the  observance  of  the 
Christian  Sabbath,''  was  formed  in  the  city  of  New  York,  May 
9,  1828,  by  about  200  ministers  and  laymen,  of  different  denom- 
mations,  from  fifteen  States  and  Territories.     The  Constitution 
provides  that  the  Society  should  '  consist  indiscriminately  of  the 
friends  of  morality  and  religion  of  all  denominations,  who  may 
choose  to  combine  their  influence  for  the  promotion  of  this  inter- 
esting object ;'  and  states  that,  '  as  the  weapons  of  the  Chris- 
tian warfare  are  not  carnal,  but  spiritual,  the  means  employed 
by  this  Society  for  effecting  their  design,  shall  be  the  influence 
of  personal  example,  of  moral  suasion,  with  arguments  drawn 
from  the  oracles  of  God,  from  the  existing  laws  of  our  country, 
and  appeals  to  the  consciences  and  hearts  of  men.'     The  follow- 
ing was  the  pledge  required  of  all  the  members  of  the  Union : 
'  We,  whose  names  are  undersigned,  do  hereby  acknowledge 
our  obligation  to  keep  the  Sabbath  according  to  the  Scriptures  ; 
and  we  pledge  ourselves  to  each  other,  and  to  the  Christian  pub- 
lic, to  refrain  from  all  secular  employments  on  that  day,  and 
from  traveling  in  steam-boats,  stages,  canal-boats,  or  otherwise, 
except  in  case  of  necessity  or  mercy ;  and  to  aim  at  discharging 
the  duties  coimected  with  that  sacred  day ;  and  also,  that  we 
will,  as  circumstances  admit,  encourage  and  give  a  preference 
to  those  lines  of  conveyance,  whose  owners  do  not  employ  them 
on  the  Sabbath.' 

"  A  forcible  '  Address  to  the  People  of  the  United  States,'  writ- 
ten by  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  was  published,  with  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Convention,  and    rirfullltPfl    tlirrMTorlinnt    tl>o  <••""+*«-- 


144  THE  SABBATH. 

It  set  forth  the  importance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  ;  that  *  it 
appeared  that  the  respect  of  former  generations  for  the  Sabbath 
was  in  many  places  gone,  and  in  all  places  fast  failing  before  the 
inundation  of  business  and  pleasure ;  that  commerce,  on  our 
seaboard,  and  rivers,  and  canals,  and  turnpikes,  is  putting  in  mo- 
tion a  secular  enterprise,  which  is  fast  and  fearfully  annihilating 
the  national  conscience  in  respect  to  the  Sabbath,  and  rolling 
the  wave  of  oblivion  over  that  sacred  day  ;'  that  the  members 
of  the  Convention  would  make  '  the  attempt  to  preserve  to  the 
nation  the  invaluable  blessings  of  the  Sabbath  day;'  and  that 
'  by  the  grace  of  God,  the  members  of  this  Union  will  exercise 
their  rights  of  property,  for  the  preservation  of  the  Sabbath,  of 
their  families  and  their  beloved  country,  unangered  and  unawed.' 

"  Auxiliaries  were  formed  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  cor- 
respondence was  carried  on  extensively  by  friends  of  the  Sab- 
bath, and  public  attention  was  directed  to  the  desecration  of  the 
day,  and  the  means  of  preventing  it.  The  parent  Society  held 
three  public  anniversaries,  and  it  was  thought  that  the  Society 
was  established  on  a  sure  foundation  as  one  of  the  great  Benevo- 
lent Institutions  of  the  age.  Their  Annual  Reports  were  pub- 
lished and  widely  circulated. 

"  Contemporaneous  with  these  efforts  were  the  publication  of 
De  Vinne's  Tract  on  the  Sabbath,  a  copy  of  which  was  distributed 
to  every  family  in  this  city ;  public  meetings  in  various  parts  of 
the  country  to  call  public  attention  to  the  subject;  the  publica- 
tion of  Rev.  Heman  Humphrey's  Essays  on  the  Sabbath ;  the 
circulation  of  petitions  to  Congress  to  repeal  the  law  requiring 
Postoffices  to  be  opened  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  consequently 
obliging  the  mails  to  be  transported  during  holy  time ;  and 
numberless  handbills,  essays,  sermons,  &c.,  calling  the  attention 
of  the  people  to  the  subject,  and  the  establishment  of  the  Pioneer 
line  of  stages  to  run  during  six  days  of  the  week  between  Buf- 
falo and  Albany,  N.  Y.  [But  the  Petitions  and  lines  of  stages 
had  no  immediate  connection  with  this  Union,  nor  did  its  con- 
tinuance depend  on  their  success  or  defeat.  Those  were  indi- 
vidual enterprises,  and  were  prosecuted  mainly  by  individual 
effort.] 

"  Among  those  who  took  an  active  part  in  the  attempts  made 


SABBATH  UNION.  145 

to  preserve  the  Sabbath  were  the  late  Jeremiah  Evarts  and  Jo- 
siah  Bissel,  Jr.,  names  that  should  be  held  in  everlasting  remem- 
brance by  all  the  friends  of  the  Lord's  day.  Of  the  former,  it 
was  well  observed  by  Rev.  Gardiner  Spring,  in  his  '  Tribute  to 
the  memory  of  the  late  Jeremiah  Evarts,  Esq.,'  that  '  he  took  a 
most  active  part  in  the  measures  adopted  to  prevent  the  trans- 
portation of  the  mail  on  that  sacred  day;  wrote  circulars  and 
petitions,  and  presented  them  for  signatmres ;  conversed  exten- 
sively with  members  of  Congress  on  this  subject;  and  compiled 
and  published  the  pamphlet,  consisting  of  extracts  from  memo- 
rials to  Congress  from  different  parts  of  the  country  on  this  mat- 
ter, together  with  an  introduction  and  conclusion  written  by 
himself.' 

"  No  public  meeting  was  held  after  the  third  anniversary,  nor 
any  publication  issued  by  the  Society.  The  Society  and  its 
auxiliaries  were  soon  considered  defunct.  The  Corresponding 
Secretary  published  a  brief  statement  in  the  religious  newspa- 
pers, assigning  the  reasons  for  the  early  discontinuance  of  the 
public  meetings,  and  the  cessation  of  action  on  the  part  of  the 
Society.     These  reasons,  and  others,  may  be  enumerated  thus  : 

1.  No  suitable  General  Agent  could  be  obtained  to  superin- 
tend the  affairs  of  the  Society. 

Five  or  six  gentlemen  of  eminent  abilities,  among  whom  were 
Frelinghuysen,  Mcllvaine,  Fisk,  and  Edwards  were  successively 
appointed,  with  the  offer  of  a  sufficient  salary,  but  they  all  de- 
clined the  appohitment. 

2.  The  members  of  the  Executive  Committee,  being  men  bu- 
sily engaged  in  their  respective  callings,  could  not  devote  the 
time  requisite  to  conducting  the  business  of  the  Society  alone. 

3.  Some  of  the  officers  of  the  Society  did  not  refrain  from  tra- 
veling on  the  Lord's  day. 

4.  Some  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  in  various  parts  of  the  United 
States,  in  traveling  to  their  [church  conferences  and  judicatories] 
to  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Religious  and  Benevolent  Societies 
and  on  other  occasions,  frequently  traveled  on  the  Sabbath. 
[And  many  laymen  followed  their  example.] 

5.  The  effort  made  by  the  members  of  the  Convention  that 

13 


146  THE  SABBATH. 

formed  the  General  Union  was  spasmodic;  and  too  many  of 
them  were  recreant  to  the  Pledge  they  had  adopted. 

6.  Too  much  reliance  was  placed  on  human  effort,  and  Chris- 
tians generally  did  not  wrestle  in  prayer  for  the  divine  interpo- 
sition and  blessing. 

7.  Churches  did  not  generally  discipline  their  members  for 
desecrating  the  Sabbath. 

8.  The  officers  of  the  Society  were  not  sustained  by  the  pray- 
ers, benefactions,  and  personal  efforts  of  ministers  and  pious 
laymen  throughout  the  country. 

9.  And  lastly  the  officers  of  the  Society  did  not  feel,  as  they 
should  have  done,  the  value  of  the  great  trust  committed  to 
them,  nor  evince  that  devotedness  to  the  cause  which  was  re- 
quisite, with  the  divine  blessing,  to  arouse  the  nation  to  a  sense 
of  its  sin,  and  bring  about  its  abandonment." 


CHAPTER  III. 

EXPEDIENCY    OF    FEARLESS    AND    UNITED    EFFORT. 

Some  of  the  friends  of  the  Sabbath  say,  that,  in  order  to  do 
any  thing  effectually  for  the  cause,  it  must  not  be  generally 
known  that  any  systematic  efforts  to  this  end  are  being  made. 
To  print  a  paper,  or  employ  a  clergyman  to  lecture  for  this  ob- 
ject, or  to  appoint  a  committee  to  superintend  the  requisite 
efforts,  would,  in  their  opinion,  be  the  ruin  of  the  whole  enter- 
prise. We  must  use  such  means  only  as  will  not  awaken  sus- 
picion, or  excite  opposition  to  the  cause. 

It  is  conceded  that  we  ought  to  be  wise  in  projecting  plans, 
and  inoffensive,  as  far  as  may  be,  in  executing  them — that  it 
would  be  wrong  to  awaken  an  unnecessary  alarm,  or  to  provoke 
opposition,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the  wicked  rage. 
But  truth,  while  it  is  spoken  in  love,  must  be  presented  with  its 
edge  neither  blunted  nor  covered  with  a  scabbard.  It  is  only 
when  thus  presented,  that  it  does  good  and  reaches  the  con- 
science ;  and  whenever  it  reaches  the  conscience,  it  gives  un- 
easiness and  pain.  But  the  same  instrumentality  that  wounds, 
frequently  and  faithfully  applied,  will  certainly  effect  that  cure 
which  can  in  no  other  way  be  accomplished.  Because  the 
wounded  man  threatens,  storms,  and  rages,  he  should  not  be  left 
to  die  without  efforts  for  his  recovery ;  but,  with  increased  bold- 
ness and  vigor,  truth  should  repeat  stroke  after  stroke,  until  the 
victim  is  not  only  dead,  but  made  alive  again  by  her  all-conquer- 
ing power. 

It  is  pretended  that  we  ought  to  begin  moderately  and  silently 
— that  we  should  write  now  and  then  an  article,  and  publish  it 
in  some  periodical  already  established — and  that  even  this 
should  be  concealed  as  much  as  possible  from  the  wicked. 

Now,  even  if  this  did  not  subject  us  to  the  charge  of  Jesuitical 


148  THE   SABEATH. 

intrigue,  or  pious  fraud,  we  should  be  opposed  to  it,  because  ii 
is  unnecessary,  and  because  facts  do  not  justify  the  hope  of  suc- 
cess from  such  a  mode  of  procedure. 

All  this  precaution  is  unnecessary^  because  it  is  evident  from 
past  efforts  in  this  cause,  that  the  wicked  are  as  ready  to  sus- 
pend their  business  on  the  Lord's  day,  as  Christians  are  to  ask 
them  to  do  it.  They  are  not  all  so  weak  as  not  to  undersiandj 
that  the  Sabbath  is  necessary  for  man  in  more  than  one  point 
of  view.  And  though  some  of  them  would  complain,  if  all 
worldly  business  were  to  cease  on  Sunday,  it  is  believed  that  a 
majority,  if  the  question  were  now  put,  whether  there  should  or 
should  not  be  a  day  of  rest,  would  say, "  By  no  means  take  away 
from  us  the  Sabbath."  It  is  busy  enterprise  and  extreme  world- 
liness,  rather  than  deliberate  design  on  their  part,  that  has  in- 
troduced the  present  order  of  things  among  us.  And  there  is  no 
need  of  all  this  precaution,  this  studied  secrecy,  and  these  vain 
attempts  to  create  a  correct  public  conscience,  before  publishing 
what  we  would  wish  to  have  done,  and  what  we  are  laboring 
to  do.  We  had  rather  come  up  boldly  to  him  who  tramples  on 
the  sacred  Rest,  and  say,  "  Friend,  we  are  all  doing  wrong ;  the 
mail  should  not  be  transported,  nor  opened  on  Sunday ;  stages, 
boats,  and  cars  should  not  run  on  that  day ;  all  worldly  business 
must  be  suspended  as  often  as  it  returns."  Should  we  not  be 
more  likely  to  secure  their  co-operation,  (for  they  are  nearly  or 
quite  with  us  in  their  views  already,)  and  excite  less  prejudice 
against  the  cause  by  this  course,  than  by  keeping  our  intentions 
out  of  sight  ? 

An  intelligent,  discriminating  infidel  said  to  us,  not  long  since, 
"  You  Christians  are  cowards ;  had  you  not  been,  long  ere  this 
the  Sunday  mails  would  have  been  stopped.  I  was  opposed  to 
the  measure,  but  well  knew,  if  you  continued  to  petition  Con- 
gress a  little  longer,  you  would  be  heard  :  for  you  had  the  right 
of  it,  and  would  have  succeeded." 

Another  of  like  character,  a  thorough-bred  physician,  express- 
ed the  sentiment,  that  the  Sabbath  is  adapted  to  our  physical 
natures,  and  necessary  politically,  as  well  as  religiously.  "  I  would 
not,"  added  he,  "  blot  it  out  if  I  could.  I  have  been  called  to  see 
many  die,  and  have  marked  the  difference  between  the  death  of 


EFFORT   NECESSARY.  149 

the  infidel,  which  is  almost  universally  one  of  horror,  and  that 
of  the  believer  in  the  Bible,  which  is  usually  one  of  peace,  joy, 
and  hope.  For  the  world  I  would  not  deprive  the  latter  (though 
I  knewhis  religion  a  deception,)  of  this  source  of  comfort  at  that 
trying  hour;  and  I  very  well  know,  that  if  the  Sabbath  were 
given  up,  the  Bible  would  of  course  become  a  useless  book,  and 
we  should  hasten  back  to  barbarism." 

Men  who  are  indifferent  about  God  and  the  future  state,  and 
even  sucli  as  are  avowed  disbelievers  in  divine  revelation,  never- 
theless know  that  a  man,  as  an  individual,  and  as  a  member  of 
society,  needs  a  day  of  rest ;  that  he  can  do  more  to  improve  his 
temporal  condition,  enjoy  life  better  and  longer,  and  die  more 
happily  by  observing,  than  by  neglecting  that  institution. 

Worldly  wisdom  and  expediency  never  yet  accomplished  much 
in  religious  matters ;  and  if  there  is  now  so  much  danger  in 
arousing  the  enemy,  who  may  be  sleeping,  rest  assured  he  is  not 
to  be  driven  from  his  stronghold  without  a  mighty  struggle.  It 
is  not  numbers,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  will  produce  a  change 
from  the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath  to  its  observance.  Truth 
alone,  set  home  upon  the  conscience,  is  to  work  this  change ; 
and  this  must  be  urged  not  only  privately,  but  publicly,  fearless- 
ly, plainly,  pointedly,  powerfully,  unceasingly — always  in  love. 

We  know  ministers  have  much  to  fear  and  much  to  lose, 
should  they  proceed  thus  in  regard  to  this  evil ;  but  they  have 
more  to  fear,  and  more  to  lose,  should  they  neglect  to  do  so. 

But  what  is  the  legitimate  consequence  of  this  kind  of  expe- 
diency ? — this  tame  and  silent  attack  on  the  powerful  enemy  of 
wJiom  we  have  spoken  ?  While  we  are  thus  moving,  if  moving 
it  may  be  called,  the  tide  of  worldliness  and  impiety  rises  higher 
and  higher,  preparing  to  sweep  the  institution  to  a  retumless 
distance,  from  this  generation  at  least.  But  there  is  no  neces- 
sity for  so  much  caution  in  this  reform.  Vastly  more  will  be 
gained  by  coming  out  boldly,  trusting  in  God. 

Examples  are  decidedly  in  favor  of  this  bold,  open  course. 
Nehemiah,  though  but  a  man,  and  alone,  powerless  in  himself, 
as  men  at  the  present  day  are — and  in  a  community  where  the 
sin  was  universal,  went  forward,  pursuing  an  entirely  different 
course  from  the  one  recommended  by  many  at  the  present  day 
13* 


150  THE   SABEATH. 

as  most  expedient.  He  commanded  the  professed  people  of 
God  to  "  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy" — exhorted 
the  enemies  of  the  Rest  to  do  the  same,  and  threatened  them 
with  civil  punishment,  if  they  persisted  in  its  violation.  He  did 
not  stop  to  form  a  correct  public  sentiment,  before  telling  the 
people  what  they  were  doing,  what  they  ought  not  to  do,  and 
what  they  might  expect.  Neither  did  he  ask  what  they  would 
think  of  him,  do  with  him,  or  say  about  him  if  he  went  about 
his  work  and  reproved  them  for  this  sin.  It  was  enough  to 
settle  the  question  of  duty,  to  know  that  the  Sabbath  was  pro- 
faned. Men  must  everywhere,  within  their  borders,  and  even 
without  the  gates  of  the  city,  cease  from  the  profanation,  and 
that  immediately.  Though  he  combated  the  evil  at  fearful  odds, 
he  succeeded.  But  it  was  truth  he  was  wielding,  and  that  in 
defence  of  one  of  the  most  important  institutions  of  Heaven. 
Truth,  in  that  instance,  as  it  will  in  all  similar  circumstances, 
prevailed ;  and  this  fact  should  encourage  every  friend  of  the 
Sabbath  to  go  and  do  likewise. 

Peter  and  the  rest  of  the  apostles  followed  this  example. 
They  charged  home  the  sins  of  the  Jews  upon  their  consciences, 
saying,  "  with  wicked  hands  ye  have  crucified  and  slain  the  Lord 
of  Glory."  Worldly  expediency  would  have  said.  Why,  Peter  ! 
you  must  not  speak  so  plainly,  so  boldly,  so  loud  ;  the  Jews  will 
hear  you,  and  put  you  also  to  death — you  act  very  rashly,  and  in- 
discreetly— we  shall  not  only  tell  the  "  unfortunate''''  Jews,  that 
we  disapprove  of  your  conduct,  but  shall  do  all  in  our  power  to 
destroy  your  influence  among  the  believers.  But  Peter  wished 
to  form  a  correct  public  conscience,  and  he  adopted  the  most  effi- 
cient means  to  bring  it  about ;  while  his  associates,  backed 
his  declarations,  strengthened  his  hands,  and  encouraged  his 
heart,  instead  of  traitorously  joining  in  with  the  enemies  of  all 
good,  as  too  many  at  the  'present  time  are  doing. 

Luther,  and  the  other  reformers,  laughed  to  scorn  the  Diet  of 
Worms ;  and,  instead  of  first  laboring  silently  to  form  a  correct 
public  sentiment,  they  thundered,  in  the  ears  of  their  opposers, 
the  truth  of  Jehovah,  and  repeated  it  with  so  much  energy  and 
severity,  that  the  Pope  saw  his  forces  scattered,  his  power  un- 
dermined, and  felt  the  entire  foundation  of  the  Romish  Church 


EFFORT  NECESSARY.  151 

rocking,  as  if  shaken  by  an  earthquake.  By  thus  exhibiting 
truth,  they  formed  a  public  sentiment,  and  then  the  evil  was 
cured. 

All  the  means  they  selected  might  not  have  been,  and  proba- 
bly were  not,  the  very  best,  possible ;  for  imperfection  marks  all 
the  doings  of  man ;  but  we  learn  from  the  result,  that  they 
were,  on  the  whole,  such  as  God  could  bless. 

WiLBERFORCE  pursued  a  similar,  open  course,  in  regard  to  the 
slave  trade.  Instead  of  working  under  cover,  converting  to  his 
views,  one  by  one,  silently,  he  boldly  and  publicly  presented  his 
plan,  headed  Truth  and  righteousness  ;  and  like  a  good  soldier , 
stood  firm  amid  discouragements,  unmoved  by  calumny,  and  un- 
dismayed by  threats  ;  and  the  glorious  result  is  known  to  the 
world.  Truth  prevailed.  "  One  did  chase  a  thousand  and  two 
put  ten  thousand  to  flight."  God  loves  to  have  his  children 
boldly  hold  up  the  truth ;  and  he  always  honors  it,  when  thus 
exhibited  before  his  enemies. 

How  did  KiTTRiDGE  and  Beecher  begin  to  form  a  correct  sen- 
timent on  the  subject  of  Temperance  ?  They  took  the  only 
speedy,  safe,  and  correct  course  to  remove  the  evil  they  would 
combat.  And  what  was  the  result  of  all  these  efforts  ?  First  a 
storm  of  wrath,  as  might  have  been  expected,  was  poured  out, 
but  subsequently  truth  has  prevailed,  and  the  enemy  lies  bleed- 
ing, ready  to  die.  If  enemies,  as  well  as  friends  are  not  brought 
to  embrace  the  truth,  little  is  done.  The  same  arguments  which 
convince  one  side,  must  be  used  to  convince  the  other  also;  and 
it  is  a  saving  of  time  and  labor  to  address  both  classes  at  once. 


OPINION  OF   THE    COMMITTEE  OF   THE  LONDON   SABBATH   PROTECTION 
SOCIETY. 

Just  as  this  work  was  prepared  for  the  press  we  received  from  the 
Secretary  of  the  London  Society,  "  for  promoting  the  due  observ- 
ance of  the  Lord's  day,"  a  file  of  their  publications,  among  which 
is  the  following,  being  the  seventh  reason  of  the  committee, 
urged  against  objections,  and  in  favor  of  the  course  pursued  by 
Sir  Andrew  Agnew  in  presenting  his  bills  on  the  subject  of  Sab- 


152  THE  SABBATH* 

bath  desecration  to  the  British  Parliament,  which  we  are  happy 
to  insert  in  this  place. 

"  It  is  the  most  fair  and  honest  mode  of  dealing,  on  the  part  of 
those  who  are  of  opinion  that  the  exigency  of  the  case  calls  for  a 
comprehensive  measure,  and  to  declare  at  once  what  is  the  ut- 
most extent  of  the  objects  they  have  in  view ;  and  what  is  the 
exact  amount  of  the  measure  with  which  they  may  be  satisfied ; 
and  it  is  considered  that  such  a  course  is  the  most  likely  to  at- 
tract the  approbation  and  good  opinion  of  right  thinking  individu- 
als, and  (which  is  an  infinitely  higher  consideration)  to  draw 
down  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God." 

Enough  has  been  said  to  show,  that  the'only  way  to  form  a  cor- 
rect public  sentiment,  is  to  give  truth  its  appropriate  place,  the 
very  fore  front  of  the  battle.  Then  God  will  smile  on  the  enter- 
prise and  speed  it.  But  if  we  consult  worldly  wisdom,  the  re- 
sult will  be  defeat  and  shame.  The  Bible  does  not  allow  us  to 
use,  in  these  enterprises,  this  time-serving  policy,  but  unites  with 
experience  in  teaching,  that,  it  is  never  wise  to  cover  the  sword 
of  truth  with  a  scabbard.  The  wicked  must  be  rebuked,  and 
severely  wounded,  yet  in  love,  and  with  a  kind,  though  deter- 
mined spirit. 

These  remarks  are  not  meant  to  imply,  that  whenever  a  re- 
formation is  to  be  efiected,  it  is  always  necessary  to  produce  a 
tremendous  excitement,  and  awaken  a  general  opposition,  as  if 
desirable  on  their  own  account,  or  for  the  sake  of  putting  men  in 
a  rage  as  a  preparative  for  their  reasoning  correctly.  A  general 
reformation,  like  the  one  under  consideration,  however,  is  al- 
ways attended  by  great  excitement  and  opposition.  And  these 
are  among  the  most  prominent  indications,  that  truth  has  taken 
root  and  is  bringing  forth  fruit.  No  great  and  powerful  nation 
ever  yet  yielded  up  her  possessions  and  her  glory  without  a 
struggle,  nor  has  any  prominent  vice  been  uprooted  and  destroy- 
ed until  all  its  votaries,  one  by  one,  have  been  attacked,  beaten 
back,  taken,  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  slain,  or  converted  into 
friends.  And  this  is  not  the  work  of  a  day,  to  be  accomplished 
without  effort — difficulty  embarrassing,  trying,  and  we  had 
almost  said,  deadly,  and  unending. 

It  would  be  folly,  not  to  say  madness,  to  attempt  to  remove 


EFPORT   NECESSARY.  153 

the  evil  of  Sabbath-breaking,  so  deeply  rooted,  so  universal,  in 
this  land,  w^ithout  making  the  truth  blaze  upon  the  eyes  of  all, 
and  relying  on  the  power,  grace,  and  mercy  of  God  to  aid  in  the 
undertaking.  And  does  any  one  suppose  this  can  be  done  with- 
out producing  excitement  ?  As  well  might  the  full  blaze  of 
noon-day  pour  its  thousand  rays  into  an  eye  unaccustomed  to 
the  light,  without  producing  pain  or  emotion. 

Then  let  us  act  openly.  Let  the  sin  of  the  Sabbath-breaker, 
and  his  immediate  duty  be  plainly,  speedily  set  before  him. 
The  sooner  the  truth,  and  the  whole  truth  is  told,  touching  this 
matter,  the  better.  While  men  are  laboring  secretly  to  set  the 
public  mind  right,  the  evil  and  the  difficulties  of  removing  it,  are 
increasing  faster  than  a  correct  public  sentiment ;  God  is  mean- 
while dishonored,  the  church  continues  to  suffer  loss,  and  im- 
mortal souls,  in  countless  multitudes,  crowd  the  broad  "road  to 
crime  and  perdition. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  NECESSITY  FOR  THE  SABBATH. 

The  necessity  for  the  Sabbath  is  founded  in  the  physical  and  mo- 
ral constitution  of  man. 

If  this  position  can  be  established,  it  will  thereby  be  demon- 
strated, that  it  is  not  peculiar  to  the  Jewish,  nor  to  the  Chris- 
tian dispensation;  but  belongs  to  the  race.  To  illustrate 
what  is  intended  by  this  adaptation,  we  may  refer  to  the  coeval 
institution  of  marriage.  That  this  institution  originated  in  Eden, 
all  reflecting  men  will  admit.  That  it  was  not  an  arbitrary  en- 
actment, but  one  based  on  the  very  nature,  necessity,  and  condi- 
tion of  mankind,  will  not  be  questioned.  The  social  constitution 
of  man  made  it  indispensable.  And  on  this  subject  all  history 
goes  to  show  that  law  or  no  law,  revelation  or  no  revelation, 
God  or  no  God,  retribution  or  no  retribution,  the  Law  of  mar- 
riage must  be  observed.  And  why  ?  He  who  made  man,  made 
him  so,  that,  without  observing  it,  his  physical,  social,  moral, 
and  intellectual  nature,  are  inevitably  debased.  Hence  we  say 
— and  who  dissents  ? — that  marriage  is  "  founded  in  the  physi- 
cal and  moral  constitution  of  man,"  and  therefore  belongs  to  the 
whole  race. 

Our  argument  for  the  Sabbath  is  just  the  same,  and  just  as 
conclusive.  That,  too,  was  "  made  for  man,"  and  is  no  less 
adapted  to  man:  nay,  indispensable  for  man.  We  say,  and 
shall  attempt  to  show  that  the  circumstances  and  constitution 
of  man  are  such,  that  he  can  no  more  do  without  the  Sabbath 
than  without  the  institution  of  marriage.  An  occasional  viola- 
tion of  either  of  these  great  primeval  laws,  may  not  prostrate 
the  whole  fabric  of  society,  so  long  as  they  are  generally  re- 
verenced. But  their  prevailing  violation  would  be  alike,  and 
equally  disastrous  to  all  that  is  dear,  and  ennobling  to  man. 


ITS  NECESSITY.  155 

Firsts  then,  the  physical  nature  of  man  requires  the  Sabbath. 

The  fact  is  clearly  established,  that  both  the  body  and  mind 
of  men,  demand  more  relaxation  than  the  night  affords  them. 
Protracted  toil,  continued  without  cessation  beyond  six  days,  de- 
tracts from  the  vigor  and  comfort  of  the  body,  and  wears  it  out, 
prematurely.  The  necessity  of  food  and  drink  is  not  more  clearly 
attested  by  nature  itself,  than  that  of  a  weekly  rest  for  man.  A 
body  of  facts,  attesting  the  accuracy  of  this  position,  is  elsewhere 
found  in  this  work.  And  what  is  this,  but  the  attestation  of  na- 
ture, and  of  God,  in  behalf  of  the  Sabbath. 

So  also  man's  moral  nature  needs  the  Sabbath. 

This  part  of  our  original  constitution,  equally  with  the  former, 
has  claims  and  wants,  which  can  be  met  only  by  keeping  the 
Sabbath.  Indeed,  these  interests  are  infinitely  higher  and  more 
enduring.  They  belong  to  our  immortality.  To  meet  this  class 
of  interests  is  the  great  purpose  of  redemption.  Christ  died 
and  angels  watch,  and  the  whole  plan  of  Gospel  grace  is  adopted, 
that  man's  moral  nature  may  be  so  cultivated,  as  to  fit  him  for 
his  appropriate  enjoyment  here  and  hereafter.  But  how  shall 
these  arrangements  be  made  available — this  inestimable  object 
be  secured  ?  By  plunging  into  the  bottomless  abyss  of  worldly 
avocations,  and  never  withdrawing  the  mind,  from  year  to  year, 
from  youth  to  old  age,  except  at  casual  intervals  ?  The  verj- 
supposition  is  incredible.  Under  such  circumstances  all  man's 
moral  interests,  his  eternal  well-being,  must  of  necessity  be  over- 
looked. Those  minds  which  are  most  deeply  imbued  with  reli- 
gious principle  find  it  difficult,  even  with  the  help  of  the  Sabbath, 
to  keep  in  check  the  rising  spirit  of  worldliness.  Take  that  Sab- 
bath away,  and  they  even  might  tremble  for  the  safety  of  all 
their  moral  and  religious  interests.  What  then  must  be  the  ef- 
fect on  minds  wholly  devoted  to  the  world  ?  It  would  be,  it 
must  be,  the  utter  sacrifice  of  those  mighty  interests,  which  God's 
own  Son  suffered  and  died  to  secure.  Even  the  foresight  of  a 
man,  would  show  that  to  carry  out  the  design  of  Redemption, 
just  such  an  institution  as  the  Sabbath  was  indispensable. 
Would  not  God  then  institute  it  ?    He  surely  would :  He  has. 


156  THE   SABBATH. 

"  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy.^'' 

And  whatsoever  observances  God  enjoins,  are  positively  need- 
ful to  the  physical  and  moral  good  of  mankind.  This  we  have 
seen  to  be  true  of  marriage.  It  is  equally  true  of  them  all.  He 
made  man,  and  knew  what  laws  he  needed.  As  the  eye  is  ad- 
justed to  the  laws  of  light;  as  the  digestive  system  is  adapted 
to  the  nature  of  food;  so  the  whole  nature  of  man  is  adjusted 
to  the  requisitions  of  God's  Law. 

These  remarks  apply  as  clearly  to  the  law  of  the  Sabbath,  as 
the  law  of  marriage.  Both  were  provided  to  meet  the  emer- 
gency of  man's  fallen  condition.  Before  man  was  made,  it  was 
known  in  the  counsels  of  eternity  that  he  would  apostatize,  and 
that  some  powerful  instrumentalities  must  be  employed  for  his 
recovery.  In  view  of  the  event  thus  foreseen,  and  the  necessity 
thus  created,  God  has  so  made  man,  that  not  only  the  voice  of 
law,  but  of  self-interest ;  not  only  authority,  but  nature  shall 
command  him  to  obedience. 

The  goodness  of  God,  in  relation  particularly  to  the  Sabbath, 
is  wonderfully  manifest.  It  is  as  if  He  had  said :  "  I  know  that 
man  will  strongly  incline  to  neglect  the  things  which  belong  to 
his  peace,  and  to  eternity.  The  influence  of  the  world,  if  not  in 
some  way  greatly  interrupted,  will  absorb  every  thought.  To 
hold  in  check  this  tendency,  to  force,  if  possible,  his  thoughts 
away  from  earth,  occasionally  at  least,  I  will  ordain  the  holy 
Sabbath.  And  I  will  so  make  man,  that  his  whole  physical, 
social,  and  moral  nature  shall  invite  him  to  repose,  just  so  much 
of  his  time,  as  the  necessity  of  his  condition,  and  my  Law,  found- 
ed on  that  necessity,  require  him  to  rest.  I  will  give  him  the 
Sabbath.  And  I  will  so  constitute  him  that  while  he  must  seek 
the  relaxation  of  the  body,  he  may  seek  the  salvation  of  the  soul. 
And  lest  he  forget  my  Sabbath  and  eternity,  I  will  write  the 
necessity  for  their  remembrance  on  the  very  frailty  of  his  nature. 
I  will  make  obedience  necessary  for  this  Avorld  as  well  as  the 
next.  Godliness  shall  be  gain  to  him  in  every  respect."  This 
would  not  create  such  physical  necessity  as  to  destroy  man's 
free  agency,  though  his  nature  is  perpetually  calling  on  him  to 
obey  this  law. 


ITS  NECESSITY.  157 

It  is  an  important  question,  pertaining  to  this  subject ;  When 
was  the  Sabbath  instituted  ?  If  it  was  made  for  man,  and  is  so 
wonderfully  adjusted  to  his  whole  nature,  the  inference  seems 
almost  irresistible,  from  this  consideration  only,  that  it  was  given 
in  Eden. 

If  not,  where  was  it  given  ?  Can  any  other  period  be  assigned 
for  its  institution,  so  well  authenticated,  as  this  is  in  the  first  of 
Genesis?  Was  it  at  Sinai?  Most  assuredly  not.  All  the 
commands  of  the  Moral  Law,  there  given,  relate  either  to  moral 
beings,  or  things  of  a  moral  nature  already  in  existence.  God 
and  man  are  the  moral  beings  there  introduced.  The  Sabbat]^ 
is  an  institution  of  a  moral  nature,  and  must  therefore  have  had 
a  previous  existence.  No  new  moral  obligations  were  there 
originated  ;  no  new  moral  acts  were  there  required.  In  the 
ceremonial  law  many  new  duties  were  enjoined.  The  case  ad- 
mitted this.  New  circumstances,  involving  new  duties,  had 
sprung  up.  In  reference  to  these,  new  and  original  legislation 
could  take  place.  "7/"  thou  shalt  make  an  altar  of  earth.'''' 
'  Three  times  shalt  thou  keep  a  feast  unto  me  in  a  year."  The 
first  is  merely  a  supposition,  referrmg  to  a  contingency  that 
might  arise,  viz:  they  might  build  "  an  altar  of  earth."  The 
second  was  a  command  to  keep  three  annual  feasts.  These 
were  new  injunctions,  and  became  obligatory  from  that  time, 
because  their  new  circumstances  rendered  that  a  duty  to  them, 
then^  which  had  not  been  so  before.  There  was  no  inherent  and 
universal  obligation  to  do  these  things,  as  is  the  case  with  a 
moral  law.  Nor  are  these  duties  spoken  of  in  terms  like  those 
used  in  reference  to  the  Sabbath.  It  was  not  the  altar ;  the  feast ; 
as  if  speaking  of  something  already  existing,  and  to  all  familiar. 
But  when  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  is  proclaimed,  the  language 
used  is  entirely  different.  It  is  not  a  new  enactment :  no  Sab- 
bath was  instituted  at  Sinai.  The  Law  simply  enjoins — not  the 
origination  of  something  new,  like  the  ceremonial  feasts,  but 
the  observance  of  what  was  old,  and  already  understood.  The 
chief  magistrate  of  a  nation  may  find  it  requisite,  for  particular 
reasons,  to  issiie  a  proclamation,  enjoining  the  observance  of 
certain  laws.  And  he  might  use  the  very  form  of  expression  used 
at  Sinai,  with  reference  to  the  Sabbath  :  "  Remember  and  ob- 
14 


158  THE    SABBATH. 

serve  a  particular  law."  Who  would  imagine  that  such  lan- 
guage implied  that  no  such  law  existed  until  then  ?  The  very 
phraseology  assumes  its  pre-existence.  So  does  the  language 
of  the  moral  law  imply  the  pre-existence  of  the  Sabbath.  "  Re- 
member" what  ?  Something  they  never  until  then  had  heard 
of,  and  consequently  till  they  had  time  to  forget  it,  could  not 
"  remember  1"  Most  certainly  not.  They  must  then,  if  such 
language  was  at  all  proper,  have  perfectly  understood  that  there 
was  a  holy  Sabbath.  All  that  was  then  needed  was  to  republish 
that  law,  and  enjoin  on  the  Jewish  people,  not  the  establishment 
of  a  new,  but  the  observance  of  an  old  institution. 

Should  it  be  said,  that  if  the  Sabbath  was  not  given  at  Sinai, 
it  was  at  the  first  fall  of  manna — we  may  reply,  that  of  this 
there  is  no  proof,  and  no  probability.  The  language  of  Moses, 
in  respect  to  the  Sabbath,  at  that  time,  clearly  implies  that  it 
was  not  a  new,  but  a  pre-existing  institution,  equally  with  the 
language  used  in  the  ten  commandments  :  "  To-morrow  is  the 
rest  of  the  holy  Sabbath  to  the  Lord  thy  God."  It  is  not  "  a 
Sabbath,"  but  "  the  Sabbath."  "  The  Lord  hath  said"  not  "  the 
Lord  noio  says^  The  surprise  of  the  people,  on  seeing  twice  as 
much  manna  fall  on  the  sixth  day  as  on  others,  was  because  it 
was  unexpected.  As  they  knew  it  could  not  be  preserved  from 
one  day  to  another,  they  of  course  expected  it  would  fall  on  the 
Sabbath,  as  at  other  times.  The  whole  history  shows  that  the 
Sabbath  was  not  then  instituted,  but  only  recognized  and  hon- 
ored of  God,  by  a  two-fold  miracle,  wrought  to  guard  it  against 
profanation. 

When,  then,  was  it  instituted?  When  but  in  Eden,  and 
at  the  very  begmning  of  time.  The  prevailing  silence  of  the 
Scriptures,  together  with  the  manner  in  which  the  Sabbath  and 
the  marriage  institution  are  often  alluded  to,  confirms  this  hy- 
pothesis. If,  on  the  very  threshhold  of  creation,  God  had  enact- 
ed and  promulged  them,  and  had  also  inscribed  them  on  man's 
original  constitution,  and  they  were  therefore  already  familiar  to 
the  Hebrew  race  as  Heaven's  own  appointed  ordinances,  then, 
and  only  on  that  supposition,  is  the  Scripture  method  of  only 
adverting  to  those  institutions  natural.     The  whole  subject  being 


ITS   NECESSITY.  159 

perfectly  understood,  and  no  one  questioning  that  God  had  from 
the  beginning  appointed  a  Sabbath,  it  would  be  superfluous  to 
re-enact  its  observance.  It  might  become  important  to  call  at- 
tention to  it,  and  to  write  it,  to  enjoin  upon  the  people  to  re- 
member it,  and  keep  it  holy.  And  while  on  this  theory  the 
language  of  Scripture  is  perfectly  natural,  on  any  other  it  is  in- 
capable of  any  satisfactory  explanation.  It  was  doubtless  given 
at  the  beginning,  and  Sinai  only  witnessed  its  republication. 

But  let  us  examine  a  little  more  minutely  the  precepts  of  the 
decalogue.  The  three  first  prohibit  certain  things  in  relation  to 
God,  the  Lawgiver.  The  fourth  is  addressed  to  man:  "Re- 
member the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy."  Here  the  institution 
is  first  particularized  as  already  existing :  it  is  "  the  Sabbath 
day."  Then  follow  specific  enactments  to  secure  its  observance : 
"  Six  days  shalt  thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work:"  so  as  to  be 
prepared  for  the  seventh.  The  remaining  six  refer  to  duties 
which  men  everywhere,  and  in  all  ages,  were  bound  to  perform 
toward  each  other ;  duties  the  obligation  of  which  did  not  origi- 
nate then,  nor  did  those  enjoined  toward  God.  That  obligation 
existed  always.  It  grew  out  of  the  very  nature  and  relations  of 
man :  not  of  the  Jews,  but  of  all  men,  in  all  ages.  With  what 
propriety,  then,  could  the  Sabbath  be  supposed,  alone,  to  be  of 
recent  origin,  or  limited  obligation,  while  all  the  other  precepts 
are  universal  ?  Besides,  as  if  to  guard  against  the  possibility  of 
such  a  hypothesis,  the  Sabbath  is  spoken  of  explicitly — as  if, 
however  ignorant  men  might  be  of  every  other  duty,  they 
already  knew  that  this  institution  existed,  there  was  no  neces- 
sity for  enjoining  a  day  of  rest,  but  only  of  enforcing  the  remem- 
brance of  one  which  they  already  knew  to  have  been  ordained. 

From  these  considerations,  it  is  obvious  that  the  Sabbath  is 
not  peculiar  to  any  dispensation,  patriarchal,  Jewish,  or  Chris- 
tian. It  is  older  th^n  either,  and  belongs  to  the  race.  It  was 
"  made  for  man.''''  It  derives  none  of  its  authority  from  either, 
as  such ;  they  rather  have  been  dependent  upon  its  influence  for 
their  entire  efficiency  and  support.  It  has  had,  therefore,  the  ap- 
probation of  good  men,  not  only  in  the  times  of  Moses,  but  before 
and  since :  and  the  pious  upon  earth  will  continue,  with  religious 


160  THE  SABBATH. 

veneration,  to  cherish  it,  till  they  shall  enter  upon  that  eternal 
Sabbath,  of  which  it  is  both  the  type  and  the  preparative. 

It  is  certainly  no  virtue  in  man  that  he  is  so  constituted  as  to 
need'  the  rest  of  every  seventh  day.  Nor  is  it  any  sin  in  him 
that  he  is  so  constituted  that  he  cannot,  without  detriment,  feed 
on  poison.  These  are  arrangements  which  he  did  not  originate, 
and  for  whose  existence  he  has  no  responsibility.  But  finding 
such  a  constitution  of  things  already  established,  he  is  bound  to 
fall  in  with  it,  as  expressing  the  will  of  God.  Indeed,  a  kind  of 
necessity  is  thus  created  for  a  compliance  with  the  divine  law. 
True  virtue,  however,  consists  not  so  much  in  yielding  to  those 
arrangements,  because  we  suffer  for  it  if  we  do  not,  as  in  a  cheer- 
ful acquiescence  in  them,  because  they  are  the  will  of  God,  thus 
made  known  to  us.  It  is,  indeed,  a  most  benevolent  act  of  our 
Creator  thus  to  have  constituted  us,  so  that  the  very  necessities 
of  our  nature  and  condition  fall  in  with  our  duty,  and  thus  be- 
come our  helps  and  monitors  in  the  way  to  Heaven.  And  dis- 
obedience, under  such  an  arrangement,  becomes  doubly  sinful. 
Thus,  to  neglect  the  Sabbath,  is  not  only  a  sm  against  God,  but 
against  our  own  souls,  and  against  our  own  bodies.  He  who 
refuses  suitable  food,  or  partakes  of  some  slew  and  certain  poi- 
son, is  not  more  palpably  a  transgressor  against  his  own  physical 
nature,  than  he  is  who  denies  to  his  body  that  weekly  rest  which 
God  has  made  essential  to  its  vigor,  and  commanded  him  to  ob- 
serve. And  as  for  his  moral  nature,  he  sins  not  against  that 
more  fatally  who  shuts  his  eyes  upon  the  word  of  God,  and 
turns  away  from  all  its  orduiances,  than  he  does  who  forgets 
the  Sabbath. 

This  institution,  then,  is  sanctioned  by  a  two-fold  enactment 
— the  one  as  written  on  tables  of  stone,  the  other  on  the  very 
nature  of  man:  and  both  by  the  finger  of  Jehovah.  Every  in- 
telligent being  is  an  open  volume  to  himself,  where  he  may 
read  the  precept,  "  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  hply ;" 
and  whether  willing  or  unwilling,  is  an  agent  for  its  promulga- 
tion to  others.  Human  nature  hath  a  voice,  and  a  tongue  which 
trumpets  it,  as  loudly  and  clearly  as  did  Sinai's  thunders.  Then, 
for  God  to  create  such  a  necessity  for  the  Sabbath,  is  the  same 


ITS   NECESSITY.  161 

thing  as  for  him  to  enact  it.  Indeed,  is  it  not  more  forcible  than 
any  other  mode  of  enactment  can  be  ? 

In  the  absence,  then,  of  all  other  proof,  it  would  seem  that  any 
farther  argument  would  be  superfluous.  Lest,  however,  some 
may  not  yet  be  satisfied,  we  shall  proceed  to  consider  the  subject 
still  farther,  that,  if  possible,  all  may  be  induced  to  remember 
the  Sabbath,  and  keep  it  holy. 

March,  1839. 


14* 


CHAPTER   V. 

OBJECTIONS    ANSWERED. 

The  following  opinions,  facts,  and  arguments,  were  published 
in  a  series  of  twelve  numbers,  in  a  weekly  periodical,  in  1836, 
and  were  elicited  by  objections  then  made  and  industriously  cir- 
culated by  the  enemies  of  the  Sabbath,  They  are  inserted  here, 
not  as  a  labored,  systematic  examination  of  the  whole  subject 
under  consideration,  which  for  ages  has  been  before  the  public, 
and,  especially  during  the  last  half  century,  has  been  presented 
in  a  most  masterly,  acceptable,  and  triumphant  manner ;  but  as 
containmg  answers,  selected  from  accredited  sources,  ancient 
and  modern,  sacred  and  profane,  to  particular  popular  objections, 
accompanied  with  brief  remarks. 

Numerous  quotations  have  been  made  from  the  ancient 
fathers,  for  three  reasons,  viz : — To  show  that  they  did  not  con- 
sider the  institution  abolished — that  there  was  a  change  of  the 
day  from  the  seventh  to  the  first — and  that  all  who  wish  to 
know  their  opmions  on  these  points  may  learn  them  without  the 
trouble  of  consulting  a  dozen  or  twenty  authors. 

Objection  I. — "There  is  no  authority  for  the  Sabbath." 

As  this  is  merely  the  assertion  of  disbelievers  in  divine  reve- 
lation, without  even  an  attempt  to  produce  evidence  in  support 
of  it,  little  time  will  be  spent  in  answering  it.  For,  as  before 
remarked,  this  effort  has  not  been  made  mainly  for  the  sake  of 
such  individuals,  but  for  those  who  believe  in  the  truth  of  the 
Bible.  The  evidence  of  the  supreme  authority  of  the  Scriptures 
is  already  before  the  public,  and  is  more  conclusive  and  abun- 
dant than  that  of  any  other  work  of  antiquity.  In  that  book, 
the  sacred  historian  informs  us,  that  on  the  sixth  day  God  ended 
his  work,  and  rested  on  and  blessed  the  seventh  day ;  or,  as  it  is 


COEVAL   WITH   MAN.  163 

believed,  set  it  apart  as  a  Sabbath.  He  made  it  for  man — ^for 
THE  RACE.  The  day  on  which  this  rest  was  to  be  observed,  was 
fixed  after  the  heavens  and  earth,  and  all  their  host  were  fin- 
ished :  and  but  for  this  day,  our  weeks  might  have  consisted  of 
six  instead  of  seven  days.  Certainly  it  was  not  needed  by  God, 
in  order  to  finish  the  work  of  creation. 

Moses,  in  the  commencement  of  this  history,  takes  it  for 
granted  that  there  is  a  God.  And,  ever  after  this  history  of  the 
institution  of  the  Sabbath,  he,  and  the  rest  of  the  sacred  writers, 
take  it  for  granted  that  there  is  a  Sahhath,  They  speak  of  it 
as  a  thing  universally  known  and  understood,  except  in  its  de- 
tail, just  as  he  spoke  of  the  existence  of  a  God — a  thing  too  well 
understood  to  need  proof.  And,  since  the  Bible  is  with  us  an 
accredited  book,  it  is  sufficient  for  the  present  purpose  to  add 
only  the  commandment  therein  contained  as  evidence  that  God 
has  required  of  some  people,  at  least,  the  observance  of  a  Sab- 
bath.    It  is  in  these  words,  viz  : 

"  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days  shalt 
thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work.  But  the  seventh  day  is  the 
Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God  ;  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work, 
thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  man  servant,  nor  thy 
maid  servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy 
gates.  For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the 
sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day :  where- 
fore the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it." 

In  this  there  is  no  effort  to  prove  that  there  is  a  Sabbath. 
The  fact  is  stated,  and  man  was  commanded  to  keep  it. 

One  of  the  reasons  given  for  the  observance  of  this  institution 
is,  that  "  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea, 
and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day ;  wherefore 
the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it."  Moses, 
then,  evidently  understood  the  seventh  day  spoken  of  (Gen.  ii.  2, 
3,)  to  be  a  Sabbath ;  and  if  Moses,  then  also  the  people  of 
Israel. 

Christ  required  his  disciples  to  keep  his  commandments,  and 
follow  his  example.  He  observed  the  Sabbath,  and  after  his 
resurrection,  frequently  appeared  to  them  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  leading  them  in  the  worship  of  God,  and  instructing  them, 


164  THE  SABBATH. 

which  they  regarded  as  authority  for  setting  apart  that  day  as 
one  of  sacred  rest.  To  this  example,  also,  all  the  Christians  of 
the  early  ages,  with  one  consent,  gave  heed,  as  having  all  this 
force  of  divine  command.  Such  is  the  testimony  of  the  ancient 
fathers. 

The  division  of  time  into  weeks,  is  presumptive  evidence  that 
the  Sabbath  has  been  observed  by  some,  in  all  ages  of  the  world. 
"  The  period  of  seven  days,"  says  Mrs.  Somerville,  in  her  work 
on  the  Physical  Sciences,  "  by  far  the  most  permanent  division 
of  time,  and  the  most  ancient  monument  of  astronomical  know- 
ledge, was  used  by  the  Brahmins,  in  India,  with  the  same  de- 
nominations employed  by  us,  and  was  alike  found  in  the  calen- 
dars of  the  Jews,  Egyptians,  Arabs,  and  Assyrians.  It  has 
survived  the  fall  of  empires,  and  has  existed  among  all  successive 
generations,  a  proof  of  their  common  origin." 

S.  J.  Buckingham. — Sacredness  of  the  Number  Seven. 

"  One  of  the  features  by  which  the  Nile  was  distinguished 
from  most  other  streams,  was  that  of  its  having  seven  separate 
mouths,  or  estuaries,  by  which  it  discharged  its  waters  into  the 
Mediterranean.  Now,  the  Egyptians  venerated  the  Nile,  as 
*  the  seven-mouthed  stream,'  because,  among  them,  this  number 
seven  was  regarded  as  a  sacred  number.  Nor  were  the  Egyp- 
tians singular  in  this  respect ;  for  among  the  Hebrews,  the  Chal- 
deans, the  Assyrians,  Babylonians,  Medes,  and  Persians,  the  same 
regard  was  shown  to  this  number ;  and  the  Greeks  and  Romans, 
after  them,  partook  of  the  same  feeling.  The  Hebrew  Scrip- 
tures, it  will  be  remembered,  are  full  of  instances  in  which  this 
number  is  used  in  reference  to  holy  things :  it  is  seen  in  the  Pen- 
tateuch, and  in  the  Prophets ;  and  in  the  New  Testament,  the 
Apocalypse  of  St.  John  furnishes  almost  as  many  examples  of 
this  as  the  Old.  Indeed,  it  is  believed  that  there  are  no  nations, 
of  ancient  or  modern  days,  in  which  some  trace  of  this  venera- 
tion for  the  number  seven,  as  a  sacred  number,  may  not  be 
found.  Among  a  people  so  little  known  as  the  Thugs,  of  Hin- 
dostan,  whose  peculiarities  have  been  but  recently  investigated 
and  described,  we  find  that  there  were  seven  original  clans  of 
that  people :  that  the  first  seven  days  of  their  expeditions  were 


COEVAL    WITH   MAN.  165 

to  be  regarded  as  days  of  separation  from  all  others ;  and  that 
they  ate  no  animal  food  until  the  seventh  day,  this  period  being 
called  Satha — a  very  probable  corruption  of  Sahhatha.  Indeed, 
I  cannot  but  be  impressed  with  a  belief,  from  all  the  considera- 
tion I  have  been  enabled  to  bestow  upon  the  subject,  that  this 
almost  universal  veneration  for  the  number  seven,  and  the  sev- 
enth day,  is  a  remnant  of  the  ancient  observance  of  a  day  of 
Rest,  which  had  its  origin  in  the  first  ages  of  mankind,  which 
was  observed  before  the  flood,  and  communicated  by  the  de- 
scendants of  Noah  to  the  early  inhabitants  of  the  world  after  the 
flood,  through  whom  it  passed  into  all  lands,  and  became 
partially  or  perfectly  known  to  all  people.  The  reason  assigned 
for  the  institution  of  the  Sabbath,  that  it  was  a  commemoration 
of  the  rest  of  the  Deity  from  the  labors  of  the  creation,  which 
were  completed  in  six  days,  and  from  which  the  Almighty  rest- 
ed on  the  seventh — would  lead  to  the  inference  that  the  Sabbath 
was  an  institution  coeval  with  the  first  parents  of  mankind :  and 
the  language  in  which  the  commandment  respecting  the  Sab- 
bath is  couched,  in  the  decalogue,  greatly  strengthens  this  sup- 
position. All  the  other  commandments,  except  this,  are  posi- 
tive in  their  injunctions,  whether  the  command  be  positive  or 
negative — to  do  or  to  abstain  from  doing — and  make  no  refer- 
ence to  any  other  code  or  institution  of  an  earlier  date.  But  this 
begins  with  the  words,  '  Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the 
Sabbath  day' — as  if  it  referred  to  some  previous  observance,  not 
now  instituted  for  the  first  time,  but  which  was  to  be  held  ia 
recollection  as  a  thing  before  known  and  practised,  and  which 
was  now  enjoined  to  be  continually  rememSerec? :  a  phraseology, 
it  will  be  observed,  confined  exclusively  to  this  commandment 
alone. 

^'  Of  the  benefits  of  this  divine  institution  to  man  and  beast,  in 
a  purely  physical  and  mental  point  of  view,  without  reference 
to  its  obligation  as  a  religious  observance,  my  own  experience 
will  abundantly  testify.  During  all  the  time  I  held  a  maritime 
command,  it  was  my  constant  practice  to  give  my  crew  the  indul- 
gence and  enjoyment  of  the  Sabbath,  by  an  entire  cessation  from 
all  the  ordmary  labors  of  their  profession :  and  the  repose,  and 
ablutions,  and  changes  of  apparel,  and  relaxation  of  mind  afibrd- 


i66  THE   SABBATH. 

ed  by  these  periodical  returns  of  the  seventh  day,  were,  I  be- 
lieve, highly  favorable  to  the  health,  dispositions,  and  morals  of 
the  seamen. 

"  In  England,  whenever  the  question  of  passing  laws  for  the 
better  observance  of  the  Sabbath  was  raised  in  the  British 
House  of  Commons,  during  the  five  years  that  I  held  a  seat  in 
that  body,  I  always  advocated  such  a  law,  on  the  ground  that 
whatever  difference  of  opinion  might  erist  among  men  as  to  the 
mode  of  observing  it  as  a  day  of  religious  worship,  no  one  could 
doubt  but  that,  as  a  mere  civil  ordmance  and  institution,  it  is  of 
the  highest  value  to  the  laboring  classes,  and  especially  the 
poor — as  valuable,  indeed,  to  the  brute  creation  as  to  man :  and 
an  essential  part  of  that  great  system  of  periodical  change 
which  runs  through  all  nature — which  recruits  the  exhaustion 
of  the  day  by  the  repose  of  the  night :  which  balances  the  heat 
of  the  summer  by  the  cold  of  the  winter  :  which  alternates  the 
autumn  with  the  spring :  and  which  was  designed  by  a  wise 
and  beneficent  Deity  to  give  to  his  creatures  that  expansion  of 
heart,  and  cheerfulness  of  mind,  and  serene  and  satisfactory  en- 
joyment of  body,  which  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  as  a  Day 
of  Rest,  brings  to  all. 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  July  17, 1840." 

"  We  find,  from  time  immemorial,"  says  the  learned  Presi- 
dent GoGUET,  "  the  use  of  this  period  among  all  nations,  without 
variation  in  the  form  of  it.  The  Israelites,  Assyrians,  Egyptians, 
Indians,  Arabians,  and,  in  a  word,  all  the  nations  of  the  earth, 
have,  in  all  ages,  made  use  of  a  week  of  seven  days."  Here  is 
a  universal  fact  stated ;  and  no  one  acquainted  with  the  history 
of  the  Jews,  though  ignorant  of  that  of  other  nations,  can  deny 
it  with  respect  to  them.  And  scarcely  any  country  can  now  be 
found,  where  time  is  not  reckoned  by  weeks  of  seven  days.  The 
Mosaic  history  of  the  creation  gives  a  satisfactory  and  philoso- 
phical explanation  of  this  fact,  otherwise  unexplained.  If  any 
man  rejects  this,  let  him  give  a  better.  But  if  this  be  received, 
then  the  doctrine  of  the  original  institution  of  a  Sabbath  for  man^ 
is  also  received.     The  conclusion  cannot  be  escaped. 

If  any  one  should  not  be  satisfied  with  the  statements  of  Pre- 


COEVAL   WITH   MAN.  167 

sident  Goguet,  Mr.  Buckiugham,  and  Mrs.  Somerville,  we  can 
refer  him  to  others,  equally  entitled  to  respect  and  confidence, 
who  tell  us  that  the  same  custom  existed  among  the  Persians, 
the  ancient  Romans,  Britons,  Germans,  Gauls ;  the  nations  of 
the  north,  and  of  America. 

The  Old  Testaiment  tells  us  that  the  antediluvians  had  their 
months  and  years,  and  why  not  weeks  ?  Certainly  they  were 
recognized  by  Noah,  and  in  Gen.  29,  weeks  are  mentioned. 
"  The  months  of  the  ancient  Scandinavians  were  divided  into 
weeks  of  seven  days ;  a  division  which  prevailed  among  almost 
all  the  nations  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge,  from  the  ex- 
tremity of  Asia  to  that  of  Europe." 

Homer,  907  B.  C.  says,  "  then  came  the  seventh  day,  which  is 
sacred  or  holy." 

Hesiod,  870  B.  C.  styles  the  seventh  day  the  illustrious  light  of 
the  sun,  and  speaks  of  it  as  holy. 

"  As  to  the  seventh  day,  which  was  honored  by  some  pagans, 
and  of  which  they  have  spoken,  as  a  holy  day,  it  was  either  dedi- 
cated to  Apollo,  or  it  was  an  imitation  of  the  Jewish  Sabbath, 
which  some  pagans  held  in  honor,  either  out  of  superstition  or 
devotion." 

"  The  learned  Grotius  tells  us  that  the  memory  of  the  crea- 
tion's being  performed  in  seven  days  was  preserved,  not  only 
among  the  Greeks  and  Italians,  but  among  the  Celts  and  In- 
dians, all  of  whom  divided  their  time  into  weeks." 

Caljiet  says :  "  Manasseh  Ben  Israel  assures  us  that,  ac- 
cording to  the  tradition  of  the  ancients,  Abraham  and  his  posteri- 
ty, having  preserved  the  memory  of  the  creation,  observed  the 
Sabbath,  also,  in  consequence  of  the  natural  law  to  that  purpose. 
It  is  also  believed,  that  the  religion  of  the  seventh  day  is  pre- 
served among  the  pagans;  and  that  the  observation  of  this  day 
is  as  old  as  the  world  itself" 

From  the  history^  of  Caen  and  Abel,  bringing  their  offerings  unto 
the  Lord,  as  well  as  from  that  of  Job  and  the  patriarchs,  may  also 
be  gathered  presumptive  evidence  of  the  fact  above  stated. 

"  Some  Rabbins  inform  us,  that  Joseph  also  observed  the  Sab- 
bath in  Egypt." 

"  Lampridius  tells  us  that  Alexander  Severus,  the  Roman 


168  THE  SABBATH. 

Emperor,  usually  went  on  the  seventh  day  into  the  capitol,  there 
to  offer  sacrifices  to  the  gods." 

"  Almost  all  the  philosophers  and  poets  also  acknowledge  the 
seventh  day  as  holy." — Calmet. 

Porphyry  says:  "the  Phoenicians  consecrated  one  day  in 
seven  as  holy." 

According  to  Philo,  of  the  first  century,  "  The  Sabbath  is  not 
a  festival  peculiar  to  any  one  people,  or  country,  but  is  common 
to  the  whole  world ;  and  it  may  be  named  the  general  and  pub- 
lic feast,  or  the  feast  of  the  nativity  of  the  world." 

According  to  Josephus,  "  There  is  no  city,  either  of  Greeks  or 
barbarians,  or  any  other  nation,  where  the  religion  of  the  Sab- 
bath is  not  known,  a  seventh  day  of  rest  from  labor."  He  cer- 
tainly ought  to  know  the  truth,  for  he  was  governor  of  Galilee, 
about  thirty  years  after  the  crucifixion  of  Christ,  and  had  most 
ample  opportunities  of  information. 

Rev.  E.  Johns  says;  "The  living  remnant  of  the  ancient 
Britons,  call  the  first  day  of  the  week  dydd  suL  The  double  d 
sounds  like  M,  in  the  ;  and  u  somewhat  like  the  same  vowel  in 
French.  The  Latin  dies  salts  is  evidently  a  modification  of  the 
British  phrase,  and  Sunday  is  a  literal  translation  of  both.  Now, 
since  the  worship  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  was  the  most  ancient 
kind  of  idolatry,  it  was  natural  for  apostates  from  the  worship  of 
Jehovah  to  render  the  homage  due  to  Him,  to  the  principal  lu- 
minary, the  king  of  day,  and  to  act  thus  on  the  day  sacred  to  the 
divine  Creator." 

It  may  be  well  to  add  the  following  from  the  same  writer ; 
"  The  language  of  the  Celts  is  the  most  ancient  living  tongue 
known  to  us.  It  is  more  ancient  than  Latin;  since  a  vast  por- 
tion of  the  Roman  language  consists  of  Celtic  materials ;  and  all 
the  terminations  of  Latin  verbs  in  the  third  person  plural  are 
borrowed  from  the  Celtic.  Moreover,  the  Celtic  abounds  in 
words  evidently  of  Hebrew  origin,  while  its  syntax  is  as  simple 
and  governed  by  the  same  rules.  Besides,  the  Cells  are  known 
to  have  been  very  numerous  and  widely  spread  in  Europe,  when 
the  Roman  people,  as  such,  were  in  embryo.  The  etymology  of 
the  Greek  language  proves  it  to  have  been  of  Hebrew  origin ; 
but  its  state  of  high  improvement  and  the  complexity  of  its  syn- 


FOR    GENTILE   AS   WELL    AS   JEW.  169 

tax,  are  evidence  of  its  being  far  less  ancient  than  the  Celtic.  It 
also  contains  many  words  of  the  same  sound  and  import  with  the 
Celtic,  and  which  may  have  been  borrowed  from  the  language 
of  the  ancient  Druids." 

The  same  writer  may  be  quoted  still  further.  "  It  is  asserted 
that  an  imvrought  feature  of  the  Hebrew  language  evinces  the 
institution  of  the  weekly  Sabbath,  to  have  been  coetaneous  with 
the  human  species.  That  feature  is  borne  by  the  Hebrew  word 
which  represents  the  word  sevens 

"Will  it  be  said,  that  "  all  those  nations  were  originally  indebted 
to  the  Jews,"  for  a  knowledge  of  this  institution  ?  Would  they 
borrow  from,  or  pattern  after  the  Jews  ? — The  Egyptians,  who 
abhorred  them ;  the  Assyrians,  who  hated  them ;  the  barbarous 
Arab;  the  proud  and  haughty  Greek  and  Roman?  Surely  they 
would  not.  God  had  caused  that  institution  to  come  down  to 
each  of  them,  independently  of  the  Jews. 

An  interesting  document,  recently  published  in  the  Asiatic 
Journal,  respectmg  a  Jewish  colony  in  China,  throws  light  on 
this  subject.     We  shall  make  but  a  suigle  extract  from  it. 

"  The  prime  minister  of  the  empire  affirms  that  the  Sabbath 
was  anciently  observed  by  the  Chinese,  in  conformity  to  the  di- 
rections of  the  king,  [Canonical  books,]  and  that  the  Jewish 
letters  approach  nearly  to  the  form  of  the  ancient  Chinese  char- 
acters." 

"  The  Easterns  counted  time  by  nights" — seven  nights.  We 
infer  from  the  above,  that  the  Chinese,  from  the  commencement 
of  their  language,  were  acquainted  with  a  Sabbath,  and  observed 
it.  "  The  Celts  kept  as  holy  time,  the  nights  before  and  after 
the  seventh  day." 

From  Jewitt's  account  of  the  natives  of  Nootka  Sound,  whose 
language  he  thinks  was  mainly  Hebrew,  it  would  seem  that  re- 
ligious rites  were  observed  by  that  people,  and  lasted,  on  some 
occasions,  seven,  and  on  others  fourteen  days. 

What  but  a  traditionary  knowledge  of  the  six  days'  labor,  and 
the  seventh  day  of  r^st,  at  the  creation  of  the  world,  could  have 
induced  all  nations,  scattered  and  diversified  as  they  are  and 
have  been,  to  agree  on  this  division  of  their  time  ? 

15 


170  THE   SABBATH. 

Objection  II. — "  This  Authority  binds  only  the  Jews." 

It  is  believed,  that  all  who  embrace  the  religion  of  the  Bible, 
as  their  religion,  acknowledge  that  the  Jews  were  bound  to  keep 
the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord,  holy.  They  must  do  no  work.  "  Thou., 
nor  thy  5on,  nor  thy  daughter.,  thy  man  servant.,  nor  thy  maid 
servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates." 

But  when  it  is  said,  that  the  fourth  commandment  is  binding 
equally  on  the  Gentile  as  on  the  Jew  ;  that  it  is  equally  import- 
ant for  the  Gentile  to  remember  the  work  of  creation,  and  no 
less  necessary  and  desirable,  that  he  and  his  household,  the 
stranger  and  his  cattle,  should  rest  one  day  in  seven,  then  we 
find  those  who  do  believe,  or  affect  to  believe,  a  very  different 
doctrine.  They  deny  that  the  Sabbath  was  ever  intended  for 
any  other  people  than  the  Jews  ;  and  say,  that  it  had  its  origin 
when  given  to  Moses  on  Mount  Sinai,  and  was  done  away  at  the 
coming  of  Christ. 

That  blessed  book  which  contains  this  law,  together  with  the 
New  Testament  in  Christ's  blood,  has  reached  us  Gentiles.  It 
contains  the  same  moral  law  which  governed  the  inhabitants  of 
the  old  world ;  and  if  this  law  is  not  designed  for  us,  then  we 
have  no  law.  Not  even  a  traditionary  notion  of  any  exists ;  and 
none  is  now  to  be  found  for  us,  unless  what  is  contained  in  the 
word  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  is  for  us. 

If  then  w^e  are  governed  by  any  law,  it  must  be  the  law  given 
to  the  Jews ;  would  we  know  the  character  of  the  true  God,  we 
must  learn  it  from  the  Bible. 

consequences  to  the  gentiles,  if  there  is  no  sabbath  for 
them. 

Before  undertaking  to  prove,  tbat  the  Sabbath  was  designed 
for  the  Gentiles  as  well  as  the  Jews,  it  may  be  well  to  consider 
the  consequences  to  us,  if  intended  only  for  the  latter.  Suppose 
it  cculd  be  proved,  that  we  are  not  bound  to  keep  the  Sabbath, 
would  Christians  rejoice  in  the  discovery,  and  gladly  neglect  to 
keep  it  holy  ?  No.  The  Christian's  enemies  would  rejoice — it 
would  create  a  triumph  through  all  their  ranks.  If  it  were 
proved  that  we  Gentiles  are  not  bound  by  the  moral  law,  would 


FOR    GENTILE    AS   WELL    AS   JEW.  171 

the  Gentile  have  cause  to  rejoice  ?  Is  it  such  a  favor  to  be  left 
without  law  ?  Then  is  it  a  favor  to  be  without  any  claim  to  one 
of  those  promises,  which  the  Bible  holds  out  to  the  Jew.  Then 
is  it  a  favor  to  be  cast  out  from  the  friendship  of  God,  to  wander 
hither  and  thither,  through  this  unfriendly  world,  without  guide 
or  protector,  or  any  knowledge  of  what  we  shall  be  when  death 
shall  close  the  scene.  For,  aside  from  the  commands  and  revela- 
tions in  the  Bible  of  the  Jews,  which  are  closely  connected,  there 
is  not  a  single  clear  intimation  of  the  will  of  God  concerning  us, 
nor  a  ray  of  hope  to  the  desponding  soul.  Instead  of  its  being 
a  favor  to  be  released  from  obligation  to  keep  God's  Sabbath,  the 
knowledge  of  such  release  would  be  misery  to  his  children.  It  is 
chilling  to  our  heart's  blood  to  think  of  our  Father  in  heaven  ex- 
cluding us  from  the  circle  of  his  protection  and  control.  We  would 
infinitely  rather  be  accountable  and  responsible  creatures,  amen- 
able to  his  tribunal,  and  under  all  the  moral  obligations  which  rest- 
ed on  the  Jews.  Let  us  have  a  Sabbath,  in  which  we  may  enjoy 
sweet  mtercourse  with  our  Maker ;  let  us  look  with  an  eye  of 
favor  on  the  evidence  that  we  Gentiles  are  not  shut  out  from  the 
inner  circle  of  his  presence,  and  the  light  of  his  countenance,  on 
that  blessed  day.  If  God  is  willing  to  honor  us  with  such  an 
opportunity  of  exalted  intercourse,  let  no  man  rob  us  of  the  privi- 
lege, and  thus  degrade  us. 

But  perhaps  some  may  think,  we  need  not  fear  nor  be  asham- 
ed of  our  degradation,  because  they  imagine  the  hour  at  hand, 
when  we  shall  die  like  brutes,  considered  like  them  too  mean  to 
be  raised  from  corruption.  Consolation  in  being  annihilated ! 
Scarce  consolation  to  the  inmates  of  the  pit. 

Our  thoughts  inyoluntarily  recur  to  the  state  in  which  we 
should  be,  without  law,  or  God,  or  Friend,  or  Protector.  Are  we 
then  less  thought  of  or  cared  for  than  brutes  that  perish  ?  God 
heareth  the  young  raven,  when  he  cries,  and  supplieth  his  need. 
The  young  lions,  when  they  roar  and  suffer  hunger,  receive  their 
meat  from  his  hand.  He  clothes  the  lily  in  robes  more  gorgeous 
than  Solomon's.  But  we,  poor  Gentiles,  must  we,  ignorant  of 
our  duty  to  Him,  without  revelation  of  His  will  to  us,  toil  on 
without  Sabbath,  without  joy,  without  communion  with  the 
Father  of  our  spirits  ? 


172  THE    SABBATH. 


MAN  S  RELATIONS  AND  OBLIGATIONS. 

Man,  from  his  relation  to  his  Creator,  has  always  been  under 
obligation  to  love  him  supremely,  and  from  his  relations  to  his 
fellow  men  to  love  them  as  himself;  hence  the  duty  of  dealing 
justly,  loving  mercy,  and  walking  humbly  with  God,  before  the 
ten  commandments  were  given  to  the  Jews  as  well  as  after. 
For,  previously  to  that  time,  all  men  were  as  really  under  law, 
and  accountable  to  God,  as  the  Jews  have  been  since.  Though 
the  will  of  God  was  more  clearly  revealed  to  the  Jews  than  to 
any  other  nation ;  though  they  had  more  blessings  and  privileges 
secured  to  them  than  their  idolatrous  neighbors ;  yet  this,  while 
it  increased  the  weight,  did  not  alter  the  nature  of  their  obliga- 
tions. God's  people,  now,  though  composed  principally  of  Gen- 
tiles, are  as  much  his  people,  and  as  much  entitled  to  all  the 
privileges  which  are  suited  to  make  them  happy,  as  the  Jews 
were.  God's  moral  claims  on  them  are  the  same,  and  they  are 
under  no  less  obligation  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  his  command- 
ments blameless.  The  same  moral  laws  which  bind  the  right- 
eous ui  every  age,  to  fulfill  the  great  Law  of  Love,  extend  to 
the  wicked  also.  If  these  obligations  should  be  met  and  fulfilled 
by  the  Jews,  as  sacred  obligations  which  they  owe  to  God  and 
man,  and  as  productive  of  the  happiest  consequences,  why  not 
by  the  Gentiles  for  the  same  reason  ? 

If  it  be  objected,  that  a  change  has  taken  place  since  the  com- 
ing of  the  Savior,  it  may  be  answered,  that  the  change  consists 
in  breaking  down  the  wall  of  partition  between  Jews  and  Gen- 
tiles, and  by  this  means  making  the  latter,  equally  with  the 
former,  participate  fully  in  all  the  blessings  and  privileges  of  the 
Gospel.  Whatever  the  Jews  were  bound  to  do  under  the  Old 
Testament  dispensation  as  typical  of  Christ,  ceased  of  course  to 
be  obligatory  on  them,  when  Christ  had,  by  his  sufferings  and 
death,  fulfilled  the  types  and  promises :  so  that  what  is  peculiar 
to  that  dispensation  is  now  no  more  binding  on  either  Jew  or 
Gentile.  If  then  the  ten  commandments  are  to  be  regarded  as 
peculiar  to  the  ancient  dispensation,  and  are  not  binding  on  the 
Gentile,  they  are  not  on  the  Jew.  And  as  Christ  gave  no  new 
law,  the  Gentiles  are  of  course  utterly  destitute  of  law,  and  so 


FOR  GENTILE  AS  WELL  AS  JEW.  173 

are  the  Jews.  We  are  therefore  brought  to  the  conclusion,  that 
all  persons  are  now  left  as  destitute  of  written  law  as  were  the 
antediluvians.  Has  God  then  finally  concluded,  since  his  crea- 
tures have  broken  all  his  laws,  that  they  may  go  on  without 
any  ?  If  not,  all  the  moral  laws,  which  were  binding  on  the 
Jews  before  the  coming  and  crucifixion  of  the  Savior,  are  and 
were  equally  binding  on  the  whole  human  family.  If  any  bene- 
fit was  derived  to  the  Jews  from  the  keeping  of  a  Sabbath,  then 
the  same  benefit  belongs  to  us  and  to  our  children.  For  he  hath 
made  us  both  one,  so  that  in  Christ  Jesus  there  is  no  longer 
either  Jew  or  Gentile. 

Thus  it  clearly  appears,  that  if  the  Sabbath  was  designed  only 
for  the  Jews,  then  we  Gentiles  are  under  no  obligation  to  observe 
any  of  the  ten  commandments,  for  they,  all  alike,  were  given 
either  to  the  Jews  alone,  or  to  both  Jews  and  GeJitiles. 

This  is  sound  logic,  and,  if  the  objector's  premises  are  correct, 
leaves  the  Gentile  without  law,  without  Gospel,  without  Sab- 
bath, without  promised  blessings,  temporal  or  spiritual ;  without 
a  guide  or  friend  when  he  leaves  this  world,  and  consequently 
without  hope.  To  this  conclusion  we  have  been  laboring  to 
bring  the  reader.  0,  wicked  man,  do  you  rejoice  that  you  have 
no  one  to  look  after  and  provide  for  you — no  promise  of  future 
good  ?  If  you  are  free  from  the  obligation  of  any  one  of  the  ten 
commands,  you  are  free  from  them  all.  And  not  a  ray  of  light 
shines  from  the  Bible,  by  which  you  can  look  into  the  future : 
all  beyond  the  grave  is  dark  uncertainty ;  you  know  not  whether 
you  are  to  be  annihilated,  whether  there  is  for  you  a  heaven  or 
a  hell ;  or  whether  you  are  to  live  in  the  form  of  a  reptile.  In 
this  situation,  you  may  look  upon  yourselves,  wretched  outcasts 
from  God,  from  heaven,  and  the  blessings  of  Revelation  ;  no  one 
to  hear  your  prayers,  listen  to  your  sighs,  and  still  the  troubles 
of  a  disordered  mind.  The  state  of  the  heathen  philosophers, 
who  wept  because  they  knew  not  what  was  before  them,  in 
another  world,  was  far  preferable  to  yours ;  for  they  knew  of  no 
Bible,  of  no  people  who  had  been  so  highly  distinguished  above 
them,  as  the  Jews  have  been  above  you.  The  Jews  are  going 
to  heaven  or  to  hell :  you  know  not  to  what  you  are  going  I 
15* 


174  TIIE   RABBATII. 

Is  it  true  that  God  has  abandoned  us  to  the  storms  of  this 
wide  and  boisterous  sea,  without  compass,  chart  or  helm  ? 

Should  wc  take  it  for  granted,  that  there  was  no  law  requir- 
ing our  first  parents,  and  the  antediluvians,  to  keep  a  day  of  rest, 
because  none  was  then  written,  we  must  also  conclude  that  there 
was  none  against  murder.  But  (iod  certainly  did  punish  Cain 
for  the  murder  of  his  brother,  showing  that  he  had  in  sonie  way 
made  known  such  a  law.  For  where  there  is  no  law  there  can 
be  no  sin.  For  the  same  reason,  the  antediluvians  must  have 
understood  his  will,  or  they  would  not,  for  acting  contrary  to  it) 
have  been  buried  in  one  common  grave.  Yet  there  is  not  the 
least  allusion  inade  to  any  of  the  ten  commandments  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  old  world.  On  the  other  hand,  suppose  it  were  in- 
disputably proved  that  there  was  no  Sabhath  instituted,  until 
afler  the  flood,  this  would  not  prove  the  Sabbath  to  have  been 
intended  only  for  the  Jews.  It  would  only  be  presumptive  evi- 
dence, that  God  could  not  keep  men  from  wickedness,  and  lead 
them  to  himself  by  oral  instruction,  without  a  particular  day 
set  apart.,  to  give  and  receive  such  instruction,  and  that  therefore 
He  established  a  new  dispensation,  wrote  the  commandments, 
and  appointed  one  day  in  seven,  when  they  should  be  read  and 
expounded.  ]3ul  there  is  not,  in  our  mind,  a  shadow  of  doubt, 
that  the  Sabbath  was  given  in  Eden,  and  designed  for  all  men, 
and  of  perpetual  obligation.  Nor  can  there  be  any  doubt,  that 
all  the  moral  laws  were  understood  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  old 
world.  Else,  the  destruction  of  the  antediluvians,  is  wholly  un- 
accountable and  unjust.  From  God's  dealings  also  with  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  it  is  evident  that  they  were  held  accountable  for 
their  conduct.  This  would  not  have  been,  had  there  existed  no 
law;  yet  they  were  destroyed,  before  Israel,  as  a  nation,  had 
come  into  existence. 

From  the  dealings  of  God  with  the  Jews,  and  from  what  is 
recorded  respecting  them  before  the  giving  of  the  law  on  Sinai, 
we  arc  irresistibly  led  to  conclude,  that  they  were,  previous  to 
that  event,  acquainted  with  and  governed  according  to  the  laws 
contained  in  the  decalogue.  We  find  indisputable  evidence 
that  they  were  acquainted  with  the  laws  in  regard  to  the  Sab- 
bath, marriage,  and  murder.     From  plain  allusions,  it  is  obvious, 


FOR  GENTILE  AS  WELL  AS  JEW.  175 

that  idolatry,  adultery,  covetousness,  and  theft,  were  also  under- 
stood to  be  sins  against  God,  by  the  Jews,  in  this  early  stage  of 
their  history.  The  manner  in  which  the  law  was  given,  was 
admirably  suited  to  impress  on  their  minds  the  importance  of 
obeying  it,  and  to  fill  them  with  awe  and  reverence  for  the  cha- 
racter of  the  terrible  I^awgiver.  The  commandments  were  re- 
pealed in  the  hearing  of  all  Israel  amidst  thunderings  and  light- 
nings, and  quakings  of  the  earth,  and  the  voice  of  a  trumpet, 
waxing  louder  and  louder,  that  the  people  might  believe  them, 
and  they  were  written  that  they  might  remember  and  do 
them.  The  whole  transaction  seems  designed,  not  so  much  to 
give  the  people  information  on  the  subject  of  their  duty,  as  so  to 
impress  the  commands  on  their  minds,  that  they  might  never 
forget  them. 

There  are  expressions  in  (he  commandments  which  show 
that  they  were  not  at  that  time  new  to  the  people  of  Israel.  In 
the  second,  for  instance,  God  speaks  of  showing  mercy  unto  such 
as  love  him  and  keep  liis  commandments — not  these  command" 
ments,  as  though  they  were  now  for  the  first  time  promulged' 
but  "  my  commandments,"  as  if  they  were  already  acquainted 
with  them.  Again,  the  fourth  commandment  commences  "  Re- 
member the  Sabbath  day."  But  we  cannot  remember  what  we 
liave  never  known,  and  to  suppose  that  God  was  calling  on  the 
people  to  remember  what  was  then  entirely  new  to  them,  is  to 
suppose  that  He,  who  is  infinite  in  wisdom,  would  speak  non- 
sense. 

Prior  to  the  giving  of  this  law  to  Moses,  God  had  been  dealing 
with  men  as  moral  and  accountable  creatures.  They  owed  to 
God  and  one  another  the  same  moral  duties  as  we  do.  What 
is  right  morally  now,  was  riglit  then,  and  vice  versa.  The  same 
moral  duties  must  also  be  equally  necessary  to  their  happiness 
and  holiness  as  to  ours. 

But  though  all,  from  the  creation  to  Moses,  were  under  a 
common  law,  it  was  not  written.  Hence  it  was  necessary  that 
the  same  law,  which  was  at  first  spoken,  and  committed  to  the 
keeping  of  a  few,  though  published  to  all  and  intended  for  all, 
should  be  given  in  a  new  form,  i.  e.,  on  imperishable  tables  of 
stone. 


1 76  THE  SABBATH. 

Wicked  men  were  prone  to  forget  God  and  his  word.  Almost 
all  had  become  idolators.  The  knowledge  of  God  was  scarcely 
to  be  found.  It  became  necessary,  therefore,  to  make  choice  of 
a  certain  family,  instruct  them,  and  make  them  the  depository 
of  his  revealed  will. 

The  same  grand  moral  principles  by  which  all  past  genera- 
tions had  been  governed,  must  now  be  written.  The  writing  of 
these  moral  precepts  must  not  be  left  to  Moses,  but  be  done  by 
the  finger  of  God.  Other  laws  were  given  at  the  same  time, 
very  important  for  the  religious  improvement  of  the  Jeics,  to 
whom  this  precious  treasure  was  committed.  But  they  were 
ceremonial,  only  designed  for  them  during  their  scholarship,  and 
these  might  be  written  by  Moses.  They  were  types  and  shad- 
ows of  things  to  come ;  yet  were  they  practical  lessons,  adapted 
to  deepen  the  impression  on  their  minds.  The  chosen  people 
tooj  were  so  far  gone  in  wickedness,  so  ignorant  of  the  divine 
character  and  government,  that  they  were  kept  forty  years,  as  it 
were,  in  one  vast  camp-meeting,  learning  the  mind  and  will  of 
God,  and  forgetting  wickedness  and  idolatry. 

At  length  we  find  them  prepared  to  come  out  among  the 
Gentiles,  with  those  moral  laws  so  indelibly  Avritten  on  their 
memories,  as  well  as  on  tables  of  stone,  that  they  could  never 
be  entirely  effaced.  These  laws  were  now  to  speak  to  them  in- 
stead of  God  ;  and  are  also  to  be  to  us  in  his  stead.  For  he  does 
not  communicate  his  will  to  us,  as  he  used  to  do  to  Adam,  Noah, 
Abraham,  Isaac,  Jacob,  Moses,  and  the  prophets. 

These  same  commands  were  often  repeated,  in  substance,  after 
the  transactions  on  Sinai,  which  seems  to  show,  that,  very  pro- 
bably, they  had  often  been  before. 

The  fact  that  there  were  many  laws  given  to  the  Jews  not 
contained  in  the  ten  commandments,  and  which  cannot  be  in- 
ferred from  them,  fiirnishes  additional  proof  that  God  made  a 
distinction  between  these  and  other  laws,  which  were  given 
only  for  the  Jews  as  a  nation.  A  distinction  was  obviously 
needed  between  those,  which,  from  their  very  nature,  are  bind- 
ing on  all  men,  whether  Jews  or  Gentiles,  and  those  which  re- 
ferred only  to  one  nation,  and  embraced  only  a  limited  period  of 
time. 


FOR    GENTILE    AS   WELL    AS   JEW.  177 

We  may  safely  infer  that  God  intended  the  Sabbath  for  the 
Gentiles,  because  the  reasons  for  its  observance  apply  to  them 
as  much  as  to  the  Jews.  They,  and  their  servants  and  cattle, 
as  much  need  the  refreshment  of  a  day  of  rest — they  have  as 
much  cause  for  gratitude  and  adoration  in  view  of  the  work  of 
creation — God's  resting  is  as  much  an  example  for  them  as  for 
the  Jews.  If  the  Jev/s  had  an  additional  reason  in  their  deliv- 
erance from  Egyptian  bondage,  much  more  has  the  Christian  in 
his  deliverance  from  bondage  to  sin  and  Satan.  But  when  we 
say  to  objectors,  if  the  Jews,  in  their  sinful  state,  needed  a  Sab- 
bath, to  give  them  an  opportunity  to  think  of  God,  recount  his 
mercies,  admire  his  works,  and  prepare  for  heaven,  then  the 
Gentiles,  for  the  same  reason,  certainly  need  one; — and  if  it  was 
the  duty  of  the  Jews  to  commemorate  this  day,  on  account  of  so 
great  an  event  as  the  work  of  creation,  it  is  no  less  a  duty  which 
the  Gentiles  owe  to  God,  for  the  same  common,  though  most 
stupendous  blessings,  wrought  by  the  finger  of  their  common 
Parent.  They  often  inquire,  why  then  did  not  God  command 
other  nations  to  keep  the  Sabbath  ?  The  question  may  with 
equal  propriety  be  asked,  why  God  did  not  forbid  other  nations 
to  kill,  to  steal,  and  to  covet.  This  he  did  not  do,  nor  did  he 
formally  give  any  commands  to  other  nations  ;  nor  is  there  even 
an  allusion  to  one  of  them,  any  more  than  if  they  had  not  exist- 
ed, except  in  the  phrase  "  thy  stranger^''''  mxhe  fourth  command- 
ment ;  yet,  what  believer  in  the  Bible  ever  supposed  these  com- 
mandments not  to  have  been  intended  for  the  Gentiles  ? 

Professor  Agnew,  in  speaking  of  the  Perpetuity  of  the  Insti- 
tution, remarks,  "  If  we  now  advert  to  the  end^  or  ohject  of  the 
institution,  we  shall  perceive  them  to  be  adapted  equally  to  the 
whole  human  family,  and  not  peculiarly  to  the  Jews.  And 
hence  its  perpetuity  is  inferred.  Was  it  intended  to  relieve  both 
man  and  beast  from  the  wearisomeness  of  uninterrupted  labor? 
Then  do  all  need  it  as  much  as  the  Israelites.  Was  it  designed 
to  be  commemorative  of  the  eternity,  independence,  self-exist- 
ence, and  all  the  glorious  perfections  of  Deity,  as  evinced  in  the 
work  of  his  hands?  Then  are  all,  equally  with  the  Jews,  in- 
terested in  this  commemoration.  Was  it  provided  as  a  means 
of  man's  growth  and  establishment  in  holiness  ?    Then  does  its 


178  THE    SABEATH. 

end  proclaim  it  loudly  to  be  the  birth-right  of  every  intelligent 
creature  on  God's  earth,  a  common  inheritance  to  all  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  Adam, 

"  Who  is  the  Jew,  that  his  constitution  alone,  and  that  of  his 
servants  and  beasts,  require  a  regular  return  of  freedom  from  the 
exhausting  fatigues  of  constant  labor  ?  Who  is  the  Jew,  that 
he  only  may  set  apart  one  day  in  seven  for  singing  the  high 
praises  of  God — that  he  only  is  obliged  to  bear  in  remembrance 
the  power,  and  wisdom,  and  goodness  of  God,  displayed  in  his 
completed  work  of  creation  ?  Who  is  the  Jew,  that  he  only 
needs  this  pre-eminently  blessed  mean  of  attaining  and  securing 
conformity  with  the  image  of  God  ?  No  !  Verily,  you  and  I,  and 
Adam  and  Noah,  are,  as  much  as  he,  interested  in  this  heavenly 
attainment.  We,  equally  with  him,  must  commemorate  the 
six  days'  work  of  Jehovah.  And  our  constitution,  as  well  as  his, 
was  so  made  as  to  require  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath." 

PROOF   FROM  THE    BEBLE. 

It  is  evident,  from  the  language  of  the  fourth  commandment 
itself,  that  it  was  adapted  and  designed  for  the  Gentile,  because 
it  makes  special  provision  for  him.  "  Thy  servant,"  and  "  thy 
strange?',''  does  not  refer  to  the  Jews.  To  them,  as  the  keepers 
of  the  sacred  oracles,  was  the  decalogue  principally  addressed, 
yet  "  thy  stranger"  was  included.  We  learn  from  their  history, 
that  a  mixed  multitude  went  with  them  from  Egypt ;  some, 
perhaps,  from  curiosity,  others  from  affection  to  the  Jews,  and 
others,  it  may  be,  from  attachment  to  their  religion.  These 
were  undoubtedly  the  "  servant"  and  the  "  stranger"  who  were 
among  them  at  the  time  the  law  was  given.  From  time  to 
time,  individuals,  some  as  bondmen,  and  some  as  citizens,  from 
neighboring  nations,  were  joined  unto  Israel.  Such  were  always 
required,  after  a  suitable  season  of  probation,  to  become  circum- 
cised ;  and  were  expected  to  obey  the  laws  of  God.  "  When 
the  stranger  shall  sojourn  with  thee,  one  law  shall  be  to  him 
that  is  homebom  and  unto  the  stranger  that  sojourneth  among 
you."  In  Isaiah  Ivi.,  we  find  most  rich  and  precious  pro- 
mises definitely  made  to  the  sons  of  the  stranger,  even  to  "  every 
one  that  keepeth  the  Sabbath,  from  polluting  it."    "  Even  them," 


FOR   GENTILE   AS  WELL   AS  JEW.  179 

says  God,  "  will  I  bring  to  my  holy  mountain,  and  make  them 
joyful  in  my  house  of  prayer :  iheir  burnt-offerings  and  their 
sacrifices  shall  be  accepted  on  mine  altar."  In  another  verse, 
specifying  the  same  condition,  he  makes  these  promises :  "  Even 
unto  them  will  I  give,  in  mine  house,  and  within  my  walls,  a 
place  and  a  name  better  than  of  sons  and  of  daughters:  I  will 
give  them  an  everlasting  name,  that  shall  not  be  cut  off." 
Though  God  did  reveal  himself  to  the  Jews,  and  teach  them  his 
statutes,  in  a  more  special  manner  than  other  nations,  it  is  plain, 
from  this  chapter  in  Isaiah,  that  they  were  not  the  only  people 
designed  to  be  benefited  by  the  revelation  of  his  mind  and  will ; 
but  any  others  who  would  covenant  with  him,  and  obey  his 
commands,  were  to  be  entitled  to  the  same  privileges. 

Some  have  asserted,  that  the  Bible  no  where  reproves  the 
Gentiles  for  profaning  the  Sabbath — but  whoever  will  read  Ne- 
hemiah  xiii.  16 — 21,  will  find  that  this  is  an  unfounded  asser- 
tion. From  God's  punishing  the  Gentiles  for  their  wickedness, 
and  in  due  lime  sending  them  the  same  Law  and  Gospel  given 
to  the  Jews,  it  is  evident  that  they  were  ever  under  as  solemn 
obligations  to  keep  all  these  moral,  or  ten  commands,  as  were 
the  Jews.  The  promulgation  of  the  law  on  Sinai  was  not  ne- 
cessary to  make  it  known.  It  is  manifest  from  Exodus  xviii. 
16,  that  the  statutes  of  God  were  well  understood  before. 
"  When  they  have  a  matter,"  said  Moses,  "  they  come  unto  me, 
and  I  judge  between  one  and  another,  and  I  do  make  them  know 
the  statutes  of  God,  and  his  law."  This  was  before  the  law 
was  written. 

The  Gentiles  have  ever  been  treated  in  the  dispensations  of 
Providence  as  accountable  creatures,  bound  to  obey  the  moral 
law,  and  amenable  to  God  for  their  conduct.  This  is  very  evi- 
dently pre-supposed  in  Amos  i.  and  ii.,  where  the  specific  trans- 
gressions for  which  God  visited  heathen  nations  with  judgments, 
are  definitely  mentioned ;  and  in  every  case,  if  examined,  they 
will  be  found  to  be  violations  of  the  moral  law.  Shall  we  con- 
clude that  they  had  been  made  acquainted  with  the  other  com- 
mands, and  yet  were  left  in  utter  ignorance  of  that  in  relation  to 
the  Sabbath  ? 

The  fact  that  the  Gentile  converts  all  kept  the  Lord's  day,  as 


180  THE  SABBATH. 

the  Sabbath,  under  the  direction  of  the  Apostles ;  which  they 
never  would  have  done  had  the  Apostles  been  forbidden,  by  their 
Master,  to  keep  it,  or  permitted  7iot  to  keep  it,  is  evidence  that 
the  Sabbath  was  intended  for  the  Gentile  as  well  as  for  the  Jew. 

The  Sabbath  is  said  to  be  a  sign  between  the  children  of  Israel 
and  God,  "  throughout  their  generations."  The  Jews  were  the 
adopted  people  of  G-od;  and  the  Sabbath,  strictly  observed,  would 
enable  them  to  learn  more  and  more  of  Him,  while  it  distinguish- 
ed them  from  those  who  would  not  keep  it.  Gentiles  among  the 
Jews,  who  would  keep  the  Sabbath,  though  strangers,  were  con- 
sidered as  of  the  chosen  people.  Those  who  would  not  keep  it, 
showed  that  they  were  not  of  his  people.  So  at  the  present 
day — the  church  is  God's  spiritual  people.  All  those  who  love 
and  keep  the  Sabbath,  show  that  they  belong  to  his  people,  and 
those  who  do  not,  are  not  his  people.  This  is  and  will  forever 
be  a  sign,  throughout  not  only  the  generations  of  Israel,  but  the 
generations  of  the  Gentiles,  who  are  now  also  of  the  people  of 
God.  Those  who  will  not  keep  the  Sabbath,  have  broken  the 
covenant,  and  are  not  reckoned  among  his  people. 

Deut.  V.  15,  contains  an  additional  reason  why  Israel  should 
remember  the  Sabbath,  viz :  that  they  had  been  servants  in  the 
land  of  Egypt,  and  the  Lord  had  brought  them  thence.  The  en- 
emies of  that  day  seize  on  this  as  evidence,  that  it  was  given  only 
to  them,  as  the  reason  applies  strictly  to  no  other  nation.  But, 
as  we  have  seen,  good  and  abundant  reasons  have  been  given  for 
its  observance,  which  apply  to  all  men :  and  the  fact  that  a  spe- 
cial reason  exists  why  a  particular  people  should  observe  an  insti- 
tution, does  not  prove  its  inapplicability  to  other  people  on  other 
grounds. 

Ezek.  XX.  12-20  is  sometimes  quoted  to  prove,  that  the  Sab- 
bath was  a  sign  given  by  God  to  his  people,  to  distinguish  them 
from  other  nations,  and  intended  for  none  others.  These  pas- 
sages probably  include  the  ceremonial  Sabbaths.  But  admitting 
the  contrary,  there  is  no  evidence  that  it  would  be  a  sign  for 
them  only,  and  not  for  Gentile  believers — the  church  after  Christ. 
Their  rest  was  on  a  different  day  from  that  of  ihe  Gentiles,  and 
that  to  distinguish  them  from  pagans,  who  worshiped  idols ; 
and  in  this  respect  it  was  a  sign  between  God's  children  and  his 


FOR   GENTILE   AS  WELL   AS  JEW.  181 

enemies.  This  institution  would  always  be  a  sign  between  the 
worshipers  of  God  and  the  worshipers  of  Baal ;  as  the  seventh 
day  was  a  sign  between  the  Jews  and  Gentiles, — the  Gentiles 
having  the  fint  day  for  their  Sabbath.  This  sign,  or  distinction, 
the  seventh  instead  of  the  first  day  Sabbath,  was  kept  up  until 
the  death  of  Christ,  when  it  was  done  away,  and  all  were  to  re- 
vert back  to  the  first  day  rest. 

There  is  another  objection  raised;  for  those  who  would  not  be 
under  the  law,  are  full  of  inventions.  It  is  said  the  expression, 
"  I  gave  them  my  Sabbaths,"  implies  that  the  Sabbath  was  only 
for  them.  Observe  also  that  all  the  commands  were  addressed 
directly  to  the  Jews,  and  to  each,  individually,  not  to  the  race 
collectively.  "  Thou  shalt,"  not  all  men  shall,  "  honor  ^Ay  father 
and  thy  mother."  If  this  bean  objection,  it  may,  with  equal 
propriety,  be  urged  against  all  the  commandments.  The  phrase, 
however,  may  not  refer  to  the  weekly  Sabbath,  but  to  Sabbaths^ 
other  days  which  were  ceremonial,  as  for  instance,  the  monthly 
Sabbath,  or  the  first  day  of  the  seventh  month,  Sabbaths  joined 
with  new  moons  and  holidays,  and  others  which  might  be  men- 
tioned. Where,  in  the  Scriptures,  is  the  plural  used,  when  the 
original  institution,  or  weekly  Sabbath  is  intended  ?  If,  howev- 
er, the  expression  above  quoted,  does  refer  to  the  weekly  rest, 
God's  giving  it  to  the  Jews,  is  no  evidence  that  the  gift  was  not 
intended  for  the  Gentiles. 

"  I  gave  them,''^  may  mean  another  day,  the  seventh,  to  be  ob- 
served as  their  weekly  Sabbath ;  a  different  day  from  the  one 
they  formerly  kept,  and  which  the  Gentile  nations  still  keep ; 
that  "  my  people  may  be  a  distinct  people."  We  are  satisfied 
that  the  Jewish  Sabbath  originated  in  the  appointment  of  the 
passover — that  they  then  changed  from  the  first  day  Sabbath,  if 
they  kept  any,  to  keep  the  seventh  day  Sabbath ;  that  they 
might  become  a  distinct  people.  If  one  seventh  part  of  the  time 
were  kept  holy  to  the  Lord,  it  answered  the  design  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

SABBATH   NOT   MENTIONED. 

Others  object,  that  as  the  Sabbath  is  not  mentioned  for  the 
space  of  twenty -five  hundred  years  after  the  creation,  it  could  not 
16 


182  THE   SABBATH. 

have  been  instituted  in  Eden.  But  if  this  argument  prove  any 
thing,  it  proves  too  much.  For  it  is  not  mentioned  from  the  time 
of  Joshua  till  David  ascended  the  throne.  Circumcision  is  neither 
mentioned  nor  alluded  to,  from  a  little  after  Moses  till  Jeremiah, 
a  period  of  eight  hundred  years.  Are  we  to  believe  that  none 
of  the  pious  kings,  during  that  long  period,  v/ere  circumcised  ? 
Who  then  can  say,  that  none  of  the  holy  patriarchs  kept  a  Sab- 
bath, because  it  is  not  mentioned  during  a  period  of  tw^enty-five 
hundred  years  ?  Neither  are  sacrifices  mentioned  for  fifteen  hun- 
dred years — from  Abel  to  the  deluge :  nor  from  Jacob,  at  Beer- 
sheba,  till  the  deliverance  from  Egypt — two  or  three  hundred 
years  more.  No  mention  is  made  of  the  Sabbath  in  the  books  of 
Joshua,  Ruth,  1st  and  2d  Samuel,  or  1st  Kings,  which  are  so 
much  more  specific  and  minute,  and  more  voluminous,  than  the 
book  of  Genesis,  in  which  the  history  of  many  centuries  is  writ- 
ten on  three  or  four  leaves  of  a  common  Bible.  "  The  ordinance 
of  the  red  heifer  is  never  noticed,  from  the  Pentateuch  till  the 
close  of  the  Old  Testament ;  but  we  know  from  the  Apostle,  that 
it  was  in  constant  use."  The  books  of  Psalms  and  some  of  the 
Prophets,  rarely  mention  the  Sabbath ;  but  this  is  no  evidence 
that  it  was  not  kept. 

"  We  are  thus,"  in  the  language  of  Pres.  Dwight,  "  come  to 
this  conclusion,  that  there  are  but  five  passages  in  which  the 
Sabbath  is  mentioned  in  the  Jewish  writings,  from  the  time 
of  Moses  to  the  return  of  the  captivity — one  thousand  years. 
Two  of  these  are  found  in  prophecy ;  and  three  of  them  in 
their  history.  The  first  of  these  is  mentioned  about  five  hun- 
dred years,  the  second  six  hundred,  the  third  seven  hundred 
and  fifty-two,  and  the  remaining  ones,  which  are  found  in  pro- 
phecy, near  eight  hundred  years  from  the  time  of  Moses." 

If,  because  no  mention  of  a  Sabbath  is  made  for  so  long  a  time, 
we  are  to  believe  that  there  was  no  Sabbath  during  that  period, 
what  shall  we  say  of  the  institution  of  marriage  ?  No  Chris- 
tian, it  is  believed,  will  deny  that  it  was  instituted  in  Para- 
dise, and  that  the  antediluvians  "  married  and  were  given  in 
marriage."  But  we  find  no  mention  of  it  after  Eve  was  given 
to  Adam,  till  long  after  the  flood.    This  institution  was  lost 


FOR    GENTILE    AS  WELL    AS   JEW.  183 

during  a  much  longer  period  than  that  of  the  Sabbath,  if  this 
reasoning  is  correct. 

It  is  surprising  to  us,  that  any  man,  in  his  senses,  should  wish 
to  make  it  appear  that  we  have  no  day  of  rest  given  us — no  Sab- 
bath. But  such  is  the  fact.  The  friends  of  the  Sabbath  are 
often  assailed  by  them,  in  the  most  disgraceful  and  opprobrious 
manner,  and  every  effort  is  making  to  remove  it  from  the  land  as 
a  useless  thing.  But  be  it  remembered,  the  Sabbath  "  was  intend- 
ed to  give  the  laboring  classes  of  mankind  an  opportunity  of  rest- 
ing from  toil — it  was  intended  to  be  a  commemoration  of  the 
wisdom,  power,  and  goodness  of  God  in  the  creation  of  the  uni- 
verse— it  was  intended  to  furnish  an  opportunity  of  increasing 
holiness  in  man,  while  in  a  state  of  innocence — it  was  intended 
to  furnish  an  opportunity  Xo  fallen  man  of  acquiring  holiness  and 
of  obtaining  salvation.  In  every  one  of  these  respects,  the  Sab- 
bath is  equally  useful,  important,  and  necessary  to  every  child  of 
Adam.  It  was  no  more  necessary  to  a  Jew  to  rest,  after  the  la- 
bor of  six  days  was  ended,  than  to  any  other  person." 

Why  was  it  necessary  that  the  beast  of  burden,  belonging  to 
the  Jews,  should  rest  one  day  in  seven,  any  more  than  for  ours  ? 
Why  need  the  Gentile  servant,  among  the  Jews,  keep  the  Sab- 
bath, if  the  Gentiles  now  need  not  ?  Why  was  God  six  days  in 
making  the  world,  when  he  could  have  made  it  as  well  in  one 
day,  or  in  one  second,  but  to  show  us  that  in  six  days  we  must  do 
all  our  work,  and  rest  one  seventh  of  the  time  ?  Why  was  our 
time  divided  into  weeks,  if  there  was  to  be  no  Sabbath  ?  Why 
have  heathen  nations  always  had  traditionary  notions  of  a  Sab- 
bath ;  and  from  what  source  did  they  come  ? 

It  is  supremely  foolish  and  wicked  for  any  man  to  set  him- 
self up  as  an  enemy  to  this  humane  and  heavenly  institution. 
If  the  Bible  be  not  true,  then  the  Sabbath  may  be  banished 
from  our  world,  but  not  otherwise. 

If  there  be  any  reason  why  the  Gentiles  are  not  bound  to 
obser^^e  the  fourth  command,  the  same  may  be  adduced  to 
show  that  they  are  not  bound  to  observe  the  first  three  or  last 
six  in  the  decalogue.  Some  are  so  anxious  to  expunge  this 
command,  that  they  divide  the  decalogue  into  two  parts.  The 
first  three  commands,  which   speak  of  the  duties  we  owe  to 


184  THE    SABBATH. 

God,  they  include  in  the  first ;  and  the  last  six,  which  speak 
of  the  duties  we  owe  to  ourselves  and  to  one  another,  in  the 
other  part ;  leaving  out  the  fourth,  which  relates  to  the  duties 
we  owe,  connectedly,  to  ourselves  and  our  God — to  our  families, 
the  stranger  residing  with  us,  and  to  our  cattle. 

It  appears  from  the  history,  that  God  divided  them  into  two 
classes,  or  wrote  them  ou  two  tables ;  but  he  did  not  leave 
out  the  fourth,  neither  did  he  leave  it  for  Moses  to  write,  but 
he  wrote  it;  and,  lest  it  should  not  hold  that  important  place 
which  belonged  to  it,  he  was  particular,  at  both  times,  when  he 
wrote  the  commands,  to  place  it,  as  it  were,  "  in  the  bosom  of 
the  decalogue,"  where  it  must  stand  as  a  connecting  link,  till 
heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away. 

We  must,  therefore,  necessarily  come  to  the  conclusion,  that 
the  Sabbath  was  instituted  when  God  had  finished  the  work  of 
creation,  and  was  designed  for  all  men  to  the  end  of  time.  It 
must  be  evident  to  most  persons  that  are  accustomed  to  reason 
and  think,  that  this  is  the  correct  conclusion ;  for  God  has  long 
been  dealing  with  us  Gentiles  as  he  once  dealt  with  his  people 
Israel.  He  governs  us  by  the  same  laws,  and  encourages  us  by 
the  same  promises. 

Obsection  III. — "But  THE  Moral  Law,  or  Ten  Command- 
ments,  HAS  BEEN  ABROGATED." 

The  objector  to  the  Sabbath  also  meets  us  often  with  the 
assertion,  that  the  moral  law,  or  ten  commandments,  has  been 
abrogated.  There  was  given  to  the  Jews  a  moral,  ceremonial, 
and  judicial  law.  One  or  more  of  these  may  have  been  abolish- 
ed and  the  other  still  remain  in  full,  if  not  augmented  force. 
We  shall  see  if  the  latter  is  not  the  case  with  the  whole  of  the 
moral  law,  or  ten  commandments.  Infidels,  and  all  those  who 
would  give  full  license  to  their  covetous  desires  and  unholy  pas- 
sions, often  quote  Paul,  Acts  xv.  5,  24,  to  prove  that  the  law, 
meaning  the  law  of  the  Sabbath,  and  indeed  the  whole  deca- 
logue, is  now  no  longer  in  force.  Some  of  them  would  have  no 
law,  neither  moral  nor  civil.  Say  they,  let  public  sentiment 
be  the  only  law  to  regulate  men's  actions.  But  it  may  be  well 
to  see  how  Christ  and  his  apostles  understood  this  matter. 


FOR  GENTILE  AS  WELL  AS  JEW.  185 

In  the  first  place,  then,  in  Mat.  v.  17 — 19,  in  the  memorable 
Sermon  on  the  Mount,  we  find  Christ  using  this  language, — 
"  Think  not  [for  some  at  that  day  talked  just  as  infidels  and 
deists  now  do]  that  I  am  come  to  destroy  the  law  or  the  pro- 
phets: I  am  not  come  to  destroy,  hut  to  fulfill.  For  verily  I  say 
unto  you,  till  heaven  and  earth  pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall 
in  no  wise  pass  from  the  law,  till  all  be  fulfilled."  But,  it  is 
asked,  What  law  is  here  spoken  of,  the  ceremonial,  or  moral  ? 
Not  the  former,  of  course ;  for  that,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  was 
destroyed,  i.  e.  abrogated,  at  his  death  ;  which  is  implied  in  the 
wall  of  partition  between  Jews  and  Gentiles  being,  by  that 
event,  broken  down.  The  apostles  too  throw  the  whole  weight 
of  their  inspired  teachings  and  divinely  bestowed  authority, 
against  the  observance  of  the  ceremonial  law.  Christ,  then, 
did  come  to  destroy  that  law.  But  he  fulfilled  the  moral  law, 
in  his  own  person;  he  inculcated  it  in  its  purity,  and  as  one 
having  authority ;  his  whole  system  of  morality  is  based  upon 
it.  If  he  came  to  destroy  the  moral  law,  he  came  to  undo  his 
own  work,  the  effect  of  his  own  mission.  But  Christ,  in  the 
succeeding  verse,  has  put  the  matter  for  ever  at  rest.  "  Who- 
soever, therefore,  shall  break  one  of  these  least  commandments, 
and  shall  teach  men  so,"  &c. ;  commandments,  i.  e.  the  moral 
law,  which  no  man  may  break,  no,  not  the  least  of  them. 

"  One  jot  or  one  tittle  shall  in  no  wise  pass  from  the  law,  till 
all  be  fulfilled."  All  the  prophecies  must  be  fulfilled;  for  he 
came  not  to  destroy  them.  But  all  the  prophecies  are  not  yet 
fulfilled ;  therefore,  not  one  jot  or  tittle  of  the  law,  of  which 
Christ  spoke,  can  pass  away,  until  such  fulfilment.  Consequent- 
ly he  spoke  of  the  ten  commandments,  the  moral  law.  Now, 
who  dare  take  from  this  law,  from  these  commandments,  the 
law  of  the  Sabbath  ?  Would  the  fourth  precept  be  not  so  much 
as  a  jot  or  tittle,  or  one  of  the  least  of  them  ?  If  not,  then  Christ 
may  not  call  the  man  who  tears  it  from  the  decalogue,  to  ac- 
count for  his  conduct.  But  be  it  remembered  by  all  who  would 
go  to  heaven,  that  their  righteousness  must  exceed  the  righteous- 
ness of  the  Scribes  and  the  Pharisees,  far  exceed  it,  or  they  will 
finally  fail  of  reaching  that  holy  place.  The  whole  of  the  deca- 
logue, then,  as  written  by  the  finger  of  God  on  tables  of  stone, 
16* 


186  THE   SABBATH. 

and  all  the  prophecies,  remain  as  they  were  at  Christ's  coming. 
The  law  is  still,  and  for  ever  shall  be,  every  word  of  it^  in  force  ; 
and  all  the  prophecies  shall  be  accomplished.  The  ceremonial 
law,  and  things  typical  of  Christ,  were  abrogated  when  he  hung 
upon  the  cross,  and  these  only.  The  day  of  rest,  then,  necessa- 
rily reverted  back,  as  the  object  of  the  first  change  was  accom- 
plished. 

Mat.  xxii.  36,  37.  "  Master,  which  is  the  great  command- 
ment in  the  law  ?  Jesus  said  unto  them.  Thou  shalt  love  the 
Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with 
all  thy  mind.  This  is  the  first  and  great  commandment.  And 
the  second  is  like  unto  it.  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
self. On  these  two  commandments  hang  all  the  law  and  the 
prophets." 

This  Pharisee,  who  was  a  lawyer,  understood  what  was  meant 
by  "  the  law  and  the  prophets :"  he  evidently  anticipated  the 
answer  he  received.  No  sooner  was  the  question  propounded, 
than  Christ  gave  the  answer.  This  he  did  by  including  in  one 
commandment  the  sum  of  all  that  was  contained  in  the  first 
table  of  the  law,  touching  his  duty  to  God ;  and  in  the  other, 
the  sum  of  all  that  was  written  on  the  second  table  of  the  law, 
or  ten  commandments,  touching  his  duty  to  man ;  assuring  the 
lawyer,  that  these  two  commandments  were  the  foundation,  on 
which  all  the  law  and  the  prophets  stood  :  they  were  built  on 
these  two  main  pillars.  Unless  these  were  observed,  the  pro- 
phecies could  not  be  fulfilled,  nor  would  any  of  the  ceremonial 
or  judicial  laws  avail  any  thing,  if  these,  i.  e.  the  ten  command- 
ments, were  given  up. 

Christ  did  not  tell  this  lawyer  that  there  was  any  diiference 
in  the  commandments ;  that  the  Sabbath  was  one  of  minor  im- 
portance and  could  be  dispensed  with ;  or  that  those  in  the  sec- 
ond table  were  not  equally  dear  to  him  with  those  in  the  first 
table :  but  "  the  second  is  like  unto  it " — each,  all  are  important, 
and  cannot  be  separated.  Should  any  person  say,  that  the  Sab- 
bath cannot  be  included  in  either  of  these  commandments,  men- 
tioned by  our  Savior,  he  would  greatly  err,  not  understanding 
the  Scriptures,  nor  observing  the  physical  as  well  as  spiritual 
benefits  of  that  day.    Love  to  our  neighbor  will  prompt  us  to 


FOR  GENTILE  AS  WELL  AS  JEW.  187 

give  him  a  Sabbath.  And  we  camiot  love  God,  if  we  "  do  not 
the  things  which  he  says." 

In  Luke  xvi.  17,  Christ  says,  "  And  it  is  easier  for  heaven  and 
earth  to  pass  than  one  tittle  of  the  law  to  fail."  In  the  previous 
context  he  had  said,  "  The  law  and  the  prophets  were  until 
John  :  since  that  time  the  kingdom  of  God  is  preached."  As  if 
he  had  said,  before^  it  was  not  preached  as  it  now  is.  But  let 
no  man  suppose  from  this,  that  John  or  myself  have  done  away 
the  law  or  the  prophets ;  for  "  it  is  easier  for  heaven  and  earth 
to  pass  than  one  tittle  of  the  law  to  fail ;"  the  law  is  immutable ; 
heaven  and  earth  will  fail,  but  the  law  cannot. 

John  i.  17.  "  For  the  law  was  given  by  Moses,  but  grace  and 
truth  came  by  Jesus  Christ."  The  moral  law,  or  ten  command- 
ments, is  here  evidently  contrasted  with  grace. 

John  vii.  19.  "  Did  not  Moses  give  you  the  law,  and  yet  none 
of  you  keepeth  the  law  ?  Why  go  ye  about  to  kill  me  ?"  Evi- 
dently referring  to  the  sixth  commandment,  the  moral  law. 
See  also  23d  verse,  "  law  of  Moses,"  which  there  means  the  law 
of  circumcision — a  part  of  the  ceremonial  law.  The  ceremonial 
law  is  frequently  called  the  law  of  Moses,  while  the  ten  com- 
mandments are  called  the  law  of  God,  and  we  know  not  that 
they  ever  were  called  the  law  of  Moses,  unless  when  referring 
to  the  whole  Pentateuch.  God  wrote  the  moral,  Moses  the 
ceremonial  law ;  hence  the  propriety  of  this  usage  to  distinguish 
them — "  the  law  of  God,  and  the  law  of  Moses."  The  Moral 
Law  is  also  too  high  to  be  reached  by  mortals.  No  one  can 
destroy,  or  alter,  or  abrogate  it.  See  also  verse  49.  "  This  peo- 
ple who  knoweth  not  the  law  are  cursed,"  i.  e.,  the  unbelieving 
people  that  followed  Jesus. 

Some  in  Paul's  day  taught,  that  faith  made  void  the  law,  thai 
the  man  who  believed  in  Christ  was  no  longer  bound  by  the 
law.  See  Rom.  iii.  28.  "  Therefore  we  conclude  that  a  man  is 
justified  by  faith  without  the  deeds  of  the  law."  To  this  un- 
scriptural  conclusion,  Paul  in  the  31st  verse  replies,  "  Do  we 
then  make  void  the  law  through  faith  ?  God  forbid :  yea,  we 
establish  the  law,"  i.  e.,  the  moral  law,  that  law  which  is  in  its 
very  nature  indestructible,  and  adapted  to  the  government  of 
moral,  accountable  creatures,  in  all  ages  of  the  world.     No  one 


188  THE   SABBATH. 

of  the  commands  can  be  taken  from  the  decalogue ;  and  the 
Sabbath  is  an  essential  part  of  it,  one  of  its  immutable,  natural, 
as  well  as  moral  laws. 

The  moral  law,  then,  Paul  being  witness,  stands  complete  in 
all  its  parts ;  established,  if  possible,  more  firmly  than  ever,  by 
what  Christ  and  his  Apostles  have  done.  Let  no  man  then  con- 
clude, that  he  can  by  any  means  avoid  the  claims  of  the  moral 
law.  He  cannot  do  it.  It  stands,  all  of  it,  unrepealed,  and  will 
for  ever  so  stand.  Romans  iv.  15.  "  For  where  no  law  is,  there 
is  no  transgression."  If  the  moral  law  is  done  away,  then  there 
is  no  sin.  In  order  then  to  determine  what  is,  and  what  is  not 
sinful,  we  need  the  whole  law.  That  touches  every  case  of 
transgression  which  can  be  committed  against  God  or  man. 

Romans  v.  13.  "  But  sin  is  not  imputed,  where  there  is  no 
law." 

Romans  vii.  1.  "  Know  ye  not,  brethren,  how  that  the  law 
hath  dominion  over  a  man  as  long  as  he  liveth  ?"  Now  infidels 
acknowledge  that  the  ceremonial  law  was  done  away  by  the 
coming  of  Christ;  and  they  would  not  wish  to  have  it  under- 
stood that  this  quotation  referred  to  the  judicial  law  of  the  Jews. 
That  would  be  too  strict  for  them.  Hence  we  know  not  how 
they  can  avoid  the  conclusion  that  the  passage  speaks  of  the 
moral  law  as  a  whole ;  and  that  no  part  of  it  has  ever  been  abro- 
gated, nor  ever  can  be.  This  law,  O  man,  whether  you  will  or 
not,  hath  dominion  over  you.  Again,  in  the  third  verse,  Paul 
states  the  conditions  necessary  to  constitute  adultery,  i.  e.,  that 
a  woman  be  married  to  another  man  during  her  husband's  life- 
time ;  in  which  case  "  the  law"  calls  her  an  adulteress  ;  that  is, 
of  course,  the  moral  law.  In  the  sixth  verse  the  phrase,  "  deliv- 
ered from  that  law"  means,  not  from  obligation  to  obey  it,  but 
that  by  faith  in  Christ,  we  may  be  delivered  from  its  condemn.' 
ing  power. 

The  passage  in  verse  7,  "  Is  the  law  sin  ?  God  forbid,"  toge- 
ther with  the  whole  of  the  Apostle's  argument  in  this  chapter, 
amounts  to  this  :  the  Christian  religion,  instead  of  doing  away, 
or  contradicting  the  commandments,  establishes,  and  is  in  exact 
accordance  with,  them.     The  law  is  as  holy,  just,  and  good,  and 


THE  LAW  STILL  IN  FORCE.  189 

as  necessary  now,  as  ever  it  was  before  the  coming  of  Christ. 
No  part  of  it  is  sin,  no  part  unnecessary,  no  part  unjust. 

Verse  22.  "  For  I  delight  in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward 
man."  Such  is  the  feeling  of  that  Apostle  towards  the  law  of 
Grod,  who  has  been  quoted  to  prove  its  abrogation.  He  still 
"  delights  in  it."  This  holy  man,  in  loving  the  law,  did  not 
love  that  which  he  had  been  instrumental  in  abolishing.  He 
could  not  delight  in  a  nonentity.  The  Christian  Sabbath  was  a 
part  of  the  law  he  delighted  in. 

Romans  viii.  7.  "  Law  of  God,"  i.  e.,  moral  law,  not  the  law 
of  Moses  ;  also,  xiii.  8,  10,  "  Love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law." 
Of  course,  law  here  means  the  ten  commandments. 

Ephesians  ii.  15.  "  Having  abolished  in  his  flesh  the  enmity, 
even  the  law  of  commandments,  contained  in  ordmances,  to  make 
in  himself  of  twain  one  new  man,  so  making  peace."  This  text, 
the  objector  also  thinks  supports  his  position.  But,  by  a  careful 
examination,  it  is  easy  to  see  the  Apostle's  meaning.  He  is 
giving  to  the  Ephesians  a  short  view  of  what  Christ  has  done 
for  them,  in  breaking  down  the  wall  of  partition  between  them 
and  the  Jews ;  that  he  has  brought  them  nigh  by  his  blood — 
is  their  peace  ;  and  of  the  twain,  the  two  classes,  has  made  one 
new  man,  in  himself,  by  abolishing  in  the  flesh  the  enmity,  i.  e., 
doing  away  those  ceremonial  laws,  or  ordinances,  which  had 
been  established  to  keep  them  separate,  and  were  in  the  way  of 
their  coming  together.  Thus,  by  removing  the  law  of  command- 
ments, in  ordinances^  the  enmity  between  Jew  and  Gentile  should 
by  and  by  cease. 

James  ii.  8,  10,  shows  that  the  whole  law  was  yet  in  force. 
"  For  whosoever  shall  keep  the  whole  law  and  yet  offend  in  one 
point,  he  is  guilty  of  all."  The  sixth  and  seventh  commands 
are  mentioned,  which  shows  that  it  is  the  ten  commandments, 
of  which  the  Apostle  speaks. 

1  John  iii.  4.  "  Whosoever  committeth  sin,  transgresseth  also 
the  law ;  for  sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law."  From  this 
also  it  appears  that  the  law,  the  moral  law,  is  still  in  force. 

Let  it  be  observed,  that  the  original  institution  of  the  Sabbath, 
as  related.  Exodus  xx.,  is  not  only  a  moral  precept,  but  is  among 
the  immutable  natural  laws,  and  can  never  be  abrogated  or  re- 


190  THE  SABBATH. 

pealed  by  any  being  on  earth,  or  in  heaven,  without  a  change  in 
the  divine  government,  as  appears  from  Christ's  own  words, 
and  the  declaration  of  the  Apostle,  as  before  stated.  Let  the 
enemies  of  that  institution  know,  that  it  stands  so  high,  that 
they  cannot  reach  it,  is  so  broad  that  they  cannot  span  it,  and 
so  jdeep  that  they  cannot  fathom  it.  It  was  given,  distinct  and 
apart  from  the  ceremonial  laws ;  written  on  stone  by  the  finger 
of  God,  and  held  a  most  prominent  and  honorable  place  in  the 
decalogue.  It  was  laid  up  in  the  ark  with  the  other  immutably 
holy  and  just  precepts,  there  for  ever  to  remain.  Christ  did  not 
abrogate  it,  for  one  jot  or  tittle  of  the  law,  that  is,  the  moral  law, 
could  not  fail.  The  Apostles  dared  not  touch  it ;  and  there  is 
not  the  least  evidence  in  the  New  Testament  that  they  ever  did 
do  it  away ;  but  on  the  contrary,  ivhen  with  Christ  they  always 
kept  it,  and  after  his  resurrection,  they  observed  the  same  insti- 
tution, though  on  another  day,  which  Christ  himself  honored  by 
his  presence  with  them.  If  the  institution  had  been  abolished 
the  Apostles  would  have  known  the  fact,  nor  would  their  Leader 
have  encouraged  them  in  keeping  a  Sabbath,  if  he  had  not  in- 
tended to  have  one  observed  after  his  death. 

We  consider  it  as  for  ever  settled,  by  Christ  himself,  had  we 
no  other  testimony  than  what  is  derived  from  his  words  and 
actions,  that  Christians  are  as  much  bound  to  keep  a  Sabbath, 
as  were  the  patriarchs,  or  the  Jews.  That  precept  stands,  in 
relation  to  this  matter,  just  where  the  other  nine  do.  If  the 
fourth  is  repealed  by  his  act,  so  are  the  others. 

If  the  Sabbath  has  ceased  to  be  binding,  and,  as  some  pretend, 
it  be  sinful  to  keep  it,  being  one  of  the  holy  days  which  the 
Apostle  forbade  to  be  kept,  then  the  declaration  of  Isaiah,  (Ixvi. 
23,)  when  speaking  of  the  millenium,  that  all  men  would  then 
keep  the  Sabbath,  will  never  come  to  pass. 

The  moral  and  ceremonial  laws  God  has  always  kept  sepa- 
rate and  apart ;  and  by  so  doing,  shown  to  his  creatures  his  in- 
tention forever  to  keep  them  distinct.  He  wrote  the  one,  and 
caused  Moses,  his  servant,  to  write  the  other.  In  their  natures 
they  differ.  Their  objects  are  different,  and  their  effects  differ- 
ent. One  could  be  spared  from  the  world  before  the  days  of 
Moses,  and  since  the  days  of  Christ ;  the  other  could  never  be 


THE   LAW   STILL   IN  FORCE.  191 

spared  from  this  world,  as  may  clearly  be  inferred  from  God's 
governiDg  his  creatures,  before  the  ten  commandments  were 
written,  by  the  principles  of  that  law,  which,  in  all  probability, 
were  well  known  to  the  ancients,  though  not  yet  written.  Do 
not  these  things  establish  the  doctrine,  that  all  men  are  now 
under  obligation  to  keep  the  fourth  commandment  ?  Here  is  a 
great  rule  of  moral  right,  which,  though  the  record  of  it  might 
be  burned  up  and  forgotten  by  man,  can  never  cease  to  be  bind- 
ing on  moral  beings.  We  consider  it,  in  its  nature,  indestructi- 
ble— immutable  as  the  throne  of  Him  from  whom  it  emanates. 
It  stands,  a  holy  rule,  between  God  and  man.  Through  it  we 
see  and  know  God,  while  we  learn  our  duty  to  him,  ourselves, 
and  to  one  another.  All  the  law  is  holy,  perfect,  essential,  and 
everlasting  in  its  very  nature.  We  should  as  soon  expect  the 
infidel  and  the  Deist  to  succeed,  were  they  to  attempt  to  pull 
down  the  throne  of  the  Almighty,  as  to  expect  they  would  suc- 
ceed in  destroying  that  law,  or  even  rendering  one  jot  or  tittle  of 
it  liable  ever  to  fail.  Let  them  beware  how  they  lay  their  pol- 
luted hands  on  so  holy  and  so  omnipotent  an  instrument.  Their 
enterprise  is  as  fruitless  as  it  is  wicked  and  malicious,  and  may 
bring  down,  in  this  life,  merited  rebuke.  It  certainly  wiU,  if 
unrepented  of,  be  punished  in  the  next  with  everlasting  destruc- 
tion. When  we  attempt  to  defend  the  character  of  this  law,  it 
awakens  in  us  feelings  similar  to  those  we  have  when  we  un- 
dertake to  defend  the  character  and  existence  of  God.  It  seems 
a  work  of  supererogation,  and  too  holy  a  matter  for  sinful  man 
to  engage  in.  The  law  was  from  eternity.  God  has  written  it, 
and  handed  it  down  to  men.  He  holds  it  out  before  their  eyes. 
It  is  himself  in  perfection  :  and  rather  than  suffer  it  to  be  blotted 
0U4;,  or  any  of  its  principles  dispensed  with,  as  it  relates  to  ra- 
tional, accountable  creatures,  he  would  dash  this  world,  which 
he  has  made,  and  which  he  sustains,  to  atoms — and  none  could 
prevent  the  awful  catastrophe. 

This  law  cannot  be  lost,  nor  abrogated,  either  by  men  on 
earth,  or  spirits  in  heaven  or  hell.  It  is  forever  settled ;  it  can- 
not he  abrogated  or  lost.  No,  not  even  its  author — with  defe- 
rence we  speak  it — can  abrogate  it,  until  he  change  his  own  na- 
ture and  the  mode  of  his  government. 


192  THE   SAEBATH. 

But  he  is  immutable.  Blessed  truth  !  Let  it  be  repeated  by 
all  good  men  in  the  ears  of  the  ungodly — He  is  bimutable. 

Objection  IV. — "  The  New  Testabient  does   not  require  a 
Sabbath." 

Another  objection  with  which  we  are  often  met  is,  that  the 
New  Testament  does  not  require  a  Sabbath, 

The  Jewish  law,  say  they,  was  abolished  by  Christ  on  the 
cross,  according  to  Acts  xv.  In  further  proof  of  the  same  asser- 
tion, Paul  is  quoted,  in  Gal.  iv.  10,  11 :  "  Ye  observe  days  and 
times,"  &c.  "  I  am  afraid  of  you,  lest  I  have  bestowed  labor  in 
vain."  Col.  ii.  16  :  "  Let  no  man  therefore  judge  you  in  meat 
or  in  drink,  or  in  respect  of  an  holy  day,  or  of  the  new  moon,  or 
of  the  Sabbath  days,  which  are  a  shadow  of  things  to  come." 
Rom.  xiv.  5 :  "  One  man  esteemeth  one  day  above  another. 
Another  esteemeth  every  day  alike.  Let  every  man  be  fully 
persuaded  in  his  own  mind." 

This  objection,  and  the  texts  quoted  to  prove  it,  remind  us  of 
the  language  of  a  distinguished  divine  to  a  layman  who  enter- 
tained the  same  opinion  with  the  author  of  the  objection,  and 
cited  some  of  these  passages  in  its  defence.  "  I  aver,  therefore," 
said  he,  with  confidence,  "  that  no  truly  liberal-minded  and  com- 
petently informed  person,  could  have  written  like  our  author. 
For  writing  and  publishing  such  a  passage  as  this,  I  hesitate  not 
to  brand  him  with  disingenuousness,  or  arrogant  ignorance." 

Those  who  quote  the  above  passage  in  Acts  to  prove  that 
the  moral  law,  or  any  one  of  the  ten  commandments,  was  abol- 
ished by  Christ,  either  have  not  yet  learned  how  little  they 
know  about  the  subject,  or  they  are  not  honest.  The  passage 
relates  wholly  to  the  ceremonial  law,  as  almost  any  Sunday 
school  child  can  see.  It  is  surprising  to  us,  that  wicked  men, 
haters  of  the  Bible,  and  rejectors  of  its  truth,  attempt  to  quote, 
much  more  to  expound  it.  When  they  do,  their  expositions  are 
often  very  similar  to  those  addressed  to  Eve  in  the  garden,  and 
to  our  Savior  on  the  pinnacle  of  the  temple. 

If  all  those  who  raise  these  objections  had  been  studying  the 
Bible  on  Sunday,  instead  of  spending  that  day  in  labor  and  sport, 
we  should  not  have  been  made  to  blush  for  their  ignorance 


NEW    TESTAMENT   VIEW.  193 

of  its  truths,  or  for  their  disposition  to  tear  away  the  main  pillars 
of  our  religion  and  our  free  institutions.  We  shall,  however, 
subjoin  a  few  extracts  in  relation  to  part  of  these  quotations. 

President  Humphrey,  on  this  point,  says,  "  If  the  repealing 
act  is  any  where  recorded  in  the  Bible,  it  is  either  in  Rom.  xiv. 
5,  6,  or  in  Col.  ii.  16,  17.  No  one,  we  believe,  pretends  to  place 
much  stress  upon  any  other  passage.  The  text  in  Romans  is 
this:  '  One  man  esteemeth  one  day  above  another;  another  es- 
teemeth  every  day  alike.  Let  every  man  be  fully  persuaded  in 
his  own  mind.  He  that  regardeth  the  day  regardeth  it  unto  the 
Lord ;  and  he  that  regardeth  not  the  day,  to  the  Lord  he  doth 
not  regard  it.'  Does  the  apostle  here  mean  to  say,  that  under 
the  new,  or  Christian  dispensation,  it  is  a  matter  of  indifference 
which  day  of  the  week  is  kept  as  a  Sabbath,  or  whether  any 
Sabbath  at  all  is  kept  ?  Surely  those  who  thus  construe  his 
meaning,  '  do  greatly  err,  not  knowing  the  Scriptures.' 

"  Every  attentive  reader  of  the  New  Testament  must  have 
observed,  that,  for  some  years  after  the  resurrection  of  Christ, 
the  Jewish  and  Christian  dispensations  were,  in  practice,  blend- 
ed together ;  the  former  being  gradually  abolished,  and  the  latter 
as  gradually  brought  in  to  take  its  place.  And  hence  the  dis- 
putes which  the  apostle  endeavors  to  settle.  '  Him,'  he  says, 
'  that  is  weak  in  the  faith,  receive  ye;  but  not  to  doubtful  dis- 
putations. For  one  believeth  that  he  may  eat  all  things.  Ano- 
ther, that  is  weak,  eateth  herbs.  Let  not  him  that  eateth,  de- 
spise him  that  eateth  not;  and  let  not  him  that  eateth  not, 
judge  him  that  eateth;  for  God  hath  received  him.  Who  art 
thou  that  judgest  another  man's  servant.  To  his  own  master  he 
standeth  or  falleth,  yea,  he  shall  be  holden  up,  for  God  is  able 
tamake  liim  stand.  One  man  esteemeth  one  day  above  another, 
another  esteemeth  every  day  alike.  Let  every  man  be  fully 
persuaded  in  his  own  mind.  He  that  regardeth  the  day  re- 
gardeth it  unto  the  Lord.  And  he  that  regardeth  not  the  day, 
to  the  Lord  he  doth  not  regard  it.  He  that  eateth,  eateth  to  the 
Lord,  for  he  giveth  God  thanks;  and  he  that  eateth  not,  to  the 
Lord  he  eateth  not,  and  giveth  God  thanks.'  Who,  for  a  mo- 
ment, after  reading  this  quotation,  can  doubt  that  the  Apostle 
had  reference  solely  to  the  ceremonial  law,  and  had  nothing  to 
17 


194  THE   SABBATH. 

say  about  the  original  institution  of  the  Sabbath  ?  He  is  speak- 
ing wholly  of  ceremonies  not  then  binding  on  Christians,  though, 
if  observed,  not  sinful,  when  it  was  done  conscientiously,  to  glo- 
rify God.  '  Let  every  man  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind.'  " 
From  Barnes'  Notes  on  these  passages,  we  have  the  follow- 
ing : — "  That  the  Apostle  did  not  mean  to  say  that  it  was  a  mat- 
ter of  indifference  whether  it  [the  Lord's  day]  should  be  kept  as 
holy,  or  devoted  to  business  or  amusement,  is  plain  from  the 
following  considerations.  3 .  The  discussion  had  reference  only 
to  the  peculiar  customs  of  the  Jews,  to  the  rites  and  practices 
which  they  would  attempt  to  impose  on  the  Gentiles,  and  not 
to  any  questions  which  might  arise  among  Christians,  as  Chris- 
tians. The  inquiry  pertained  to  meats  and  festival  observances 
among  the  Jews,  and  to  their  scruples  about  partaking  of  the 
food  offered  to  idols,  &c.,  and  there  is  no  more  propriety  in  sup- 
posing that  the  subject  of  the  Lord's  day  is  introduced  here,  than 
that  he  advances  principles  respecting  baptism  and  the  Lord^s  Sup- 
per. 2.  The  Lord's  day  was  doubtless  observed  by  all  Christians, 
whether  converted  from  Judaism  or  heathenism.  See  1  Cor. 
xvii.  2;  Acts  xx.  7;  Rev.  i.  10;  Comp.  Notes  on  John  xx.  26. 
The  propriety  of  observing  that  day  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
a  matter  of  controversy.  The  only  inquiry  was,  whether  it  was 
proper  to  add  to  that  the  observance  of  the  Jewish  Sabbaths  and 
days  of  festivals  and  feasts.  3.  It  is  expressly  said  that  those 
who  did  not  regard  the  day,  regarded  it  as  not  to  God,  or  to 
honor  God :  verse  6.  They  did  it  as  a  matter  of  respect  to  him 
and  his  institutions;  to  promote  his  glory  and  to  advance  his 
kingdom.  Was  this  ever  done  by  those  who  disregarded  the 
Christian  Sabbath  1  Is  their  design  ever  to  promote  his  honor, 
and  to  advance  in  the  knowledge  of  Him  by  neglecting  his  holy 
day  ?  Who  knows  not  that  the  Christian  Sabbath  has  never 
been  neglected  or  profaned  by  any  design  to  glorify  the  Lord 
Jesus,  or  to  promote  his  kingdom  ?  It  is  for  purposes  of  busi- 
ness, gain,  war,  amusement,  dissipation,  visiting,  crime.  Let 
the  heart  be  filled  with  a  sincere  desire  to  honor  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  the  Christian  Sabbath  will  be  reverenced,  and  devoted  to 
the  purposes  of  piety.  And  if  any  man  is  disposed  to  plead  this 
passage  as  an  excuse  for  violating  the  Sabbath,  and  devoting  it 


NEW    TESTAMENT  VIEW.  195 

to  pleasure,  or  gain,  let  him  understand  it  just  as  it  is :  i.  e.  let 
him  neglect  the  Sabbath  from  a  conscientious  desire  to  honor  Jesus 
Christ.  Unless  this  is  his  motive,  the  passage  cannot  avail  him. 
But  this  motive  never  yet  influenced  a  Sabbath-breaker. 

From  Acts  xx.  7,  we  see  that  the  disciples  kept  the  Christian 
Sabbath,  and  assembled  for  religious  worship  on  the  Lord's  day. 
This  was  nearly  thirty  years  after  the  resurrection.  Paul  preach- 
ed to  them.  He  who  had,  as  the  objectors  say,  preached  the 
abolition  of  the  weekly  rest ! ! 

In  1  Cor.  xvi.  1,  2,  written  about  the  same  time,  allusion  is 
made  by  Paul  to  the  Christian  Sabbath,  and  the  custom  of  the 
church  in  assembling  together  for  worship  and  collections  for 
public  charities. 

Let  us  now  examine  the  passage  in  Col.  ii.  16,  17,  "  Let  no 
man  therefore  judge  you  in  meat  or  in  drink,  or  in  respect  to  an 
holy  day,  or  of  the  new  moons,  or  of  the  Sabbath  days,  which  are 
a  shadow  of  things  to  come  ;  but  the  body  is  of  Christ."  "  Here, 
as  some  have  triumphantly  alleged  is  the  repealing  act." 

But  it  must  first  be  proved  that  the  Apostle  had  reference  to 
the  original  institution,  instead  of  the  Jewish  seventh  day  Sab- 
bath, or  the  other  Sabbaths  which  the  Jews  were  commanded  to 
keep — such  as  the  first  day  of  the  seventh  month,  and  also  the 
tenth  day  of  the  same  throughout  their  generations.  Lev.  xxiii. 
3,  a  Sabbath  of  rest  is  appointed,  an  holy  convocation.  These 
and  other  ceremonial  days  were  called  holy :  and  in  them  no 
work  was  to  be  done,  but  they  were  not  the  weeldy  Sabbath. 
The  Apostle,  as  we  apprehend,  has  no  reference  to  the  latter. 
Meats,  drinks,  new  moons,  holy  days,  and  Sabbath  days,  cannot 
mean  the  original  day  of  rest,  as  has  already  been  proved.  If 
the  apostle  did  mean  to  include  the  Jewish  seventh  day  Sabbath, 
it  does  not  follow  that  he  intended  to  touch  the  original  institu- 
tion. That  was  already  changed  back  to  the  first  day,  which 
Christians  were  keeping,  and  Paul  among  the  rest. 

Says  Pres.  Dwight,  "  The  Sabbath  appears  to  be  regularly 
distinguished  from  Sabbaths;  and  as  Sabbaths  are  regularly 
joined  with  new  moons  and  other  holidays  of  the  Jews,  which 
the  Sabbath  never  is ;  it  is  clear  to  me  that  the  Sabbath  is  not 
alluded  to  in  any  of  these  instances."    Perhaps  not  even  the 


196  THE  SABBATH. 

Jewish  seventh  day  Sabbath.  Sabbaths  in  these  passages  may 
refer  merely  to  the  ordinary  holidays  of  the  Jews. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  Gal.  iv.  9-1 1,  "  How  tarn  ye  again 
to  the  weak  and  beggarly  elements  whereunto  ye  desire  again 
to  be  in  bondage.  Ye  observe  days,  and  months,  and  times,  and 
years.  I  am  afraid  of  you,  lest  I  have  bestowed  upon  you  labor 
in  vain."  Paul  is  evidently  speaking  of  the  ceremonies  of  the 
Jews,  which  were  not  binding  on  Christians.  Acts  xv.  has  no- 
thing at  all  to  do  with  this  subject.  It  is  on  circumcision,  and 
the  ceremonial  law  of  Moses.  For  the  same  Apostle  loved  and 
kept  the  moral  law,  and  commanded  others  to  keep  it. 

Pres.  Hubiphrey  says, — "  The  plural  form.  Sabbath  days, 
rarely,  if  ever,  occurs  in  Scripture  when  the  original  institution 
is  intended."    This  is  to  be  understood  of  the  English  version. 

Hear  the  opinion  of  an  able  foreign  writer  on  this  subject.  "It 
is  evident,  from  the  context,  that  the  Apostle  was  speaking  of 
the  ordinances  of  the  ceremonial  law;  for  the  neglect  of  which  no 
Christian  was  to  be  condemned.  '  Blotting  out  the  hand- writing  of 
ordinances,  that  was  against  us,  which  was  contrary  to  us  and  took 
it  out  of  the  way,  nailing  it  to  his  cross.  Let  no  man  therefore 
judge  you  in  meat  or  in  drink,  &c.,  or  of  the  Sabbath  days.' 

"  In  this  passage  the  Apostle  was  doubtless  speaking  of  bur- 
densome ordinances;  of  something  that  was  against  them,  and 
contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel.  But  can  any  pious  person 
conceive  that  the  spending  one  day  in  seven,  in  spiritual  services, 
could  be  ranked  by  the  holy  Apostle,  among  the  things  which 
were  against  Christianity  and  contrary  to  it  ?  Was  that  institu- 
tion, which  the  people  of  God  had  been  commanded  to  call  a  de- 
light, the  holy  of  the  Lord  and  honorable;  now  to  be  esteemed 
of  so  carnal  a  nature  as  to  be  ranked  amongst  the  things  which 
Christ  took  out  of  the  way,  nailing  it  to  the  cross  ?  Were  those 
holy  persons,  who  had  been  accustomed  to  adopt  the  language 
of  the  Psalmist,  '  I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  let  us  go 
into  the  house  of  the  Lord,'  now  taught  to  esteem  a  day  spent  in 
such  service,  as  a  part  of  that  yoke,  which  neither  the  Apostles,  nor 
their  fathers  were  able  to  bear  V  Nay,  verily.  We  might  just  as 
well  say,  that  Christ  abrogated  the  whole  moral  law.  Then  the 
law  of  the  Sabbath  has  never  been  repealed.  '  The  law  has  no  lim- 


NEW  TESTAMENT  VIEW.  197 

ations,  and,  therefore,  can  never  expire."  It  is  then,  still  binding 
on  Jews  and  Gentiles ;  and  always  will  be  on  all  men  to  the  end 
of  time.  It  may  be  considered  the  great  instrument  to  brmg 
men  to  Christ,  and  perpetuate  the  religion  of  the  cross.  With- 
out it  men  would  sooner  be  deists  than  Christians ;  sooner  be 
gross,  filthy,  ignorant  idolators,  than  civil,  intelligent,  and  happy 
citizens. 

The  truth  is,  those  who  are  laboring  to  bring  the  Sabbath  into 
disrepute,  and  expunge  it  from  the  moral  code,  are  at  least  gross- 
ly ignorant  of  the  Bible,  the  book  of  nature,  and  Providence  ;  and 
of  their  own  best  interests  and  those  of  the  world.  We  are  more 
and  more  inclined  to  the  opinion,  that  every  enemy  of  the  Sab- 
bath, and  of  its  strictly  religious  observance,  is  an  infidel.  It 
may  be  that  he  has  not  yet  discovered  precisely  where  he  stands ; 
but  be  it  known  to  him  and  the  world,  that  he  is  an  enemy  to 
the  Christian  and  to  the  Jewish  religion,  and  feels  uneasy  under 
the  restraints,  which  both  the  law  and  the  Gospel  impose.  Ig- 
norance, and  the  subtlety  of  designing  men,  may,  and  doubtless 
do,  lead  many  astray ;  but  if  they  hate  the  Sabbath,  and  the  du- 
ties which  it  enjoins ;  and  are  unwilling  to  perform  them,  they 
are  "  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  bonds  of  iniquity,"  laboring  to 
destroy  all  good,  here  and  hereafter,  and  on  their  way  to  an  eter- 
nal hell.  All  that  men  now  say  and  do  against  this  institution, 
proceeds  from  enmity  to  the  general  cause  of  truth  and  holiness, 
or  from  criminal  ignorance.  We  look  upon  them  all,  as  the  en- 
emies of  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  enemies  of  their  species,  and  as 
insidious  foes  to  our  republican  institutions ;  though  many  of 
them  are  not  sensible  of  the  fact. 

Rev.  Mr.  Doolittle  makes  the  following  remarks  on  the  pas- 
sage, Col.  ii.  16.  "  Let  no  man  therefore  judge  you  in  meat  or  in 
drink,  or  in  respect  to  an  holy  day,  or  of  the  new  moon,  or  of  the 
Sabbath  days^ 

"  A  satisfactory  key  to  the  text  may  be  found  in  the  following 
facts,  all  capable  of  conclusive  demonstration. 

1.  So  much  of  the  law  of  Moses  as  might  properly  be  termed 
ceremonial,  in  distinction  from  the  moral  law,  ceased  to  be  es- 
sential after  the  establishment  of  the  Christian  dispensation. 

"  ?.  Though  the  Apostles  and  others,  regarded  the  ceremonial 
17* 


198  THE  SABBATH. 

law  as  thus  abrogated,  yet,  inasmuch  as  many  of  the  Christian 
Jews  were  conscientiously  attached  to  its  observance,  the  Apos- 
tles and  Christian  Jews  generally,  for  the  sake  of  harmony 
among  themselves,  and  perhaps  to  avoid  giving  offence  need- 
lessly, to  the  ruling  powers,  conformed,  as  to  a  thing  of  unessen- 
tial moment. 

"  3.  In  opposition  to  the  claims  of  certain  Judaizing  teachers, 
Paul  taught,  and  laboriously  vindicated  the  position,  that  the  ob- 
servance of  the  ceremonial  law  should  not  be  enjoined  on  the 
Gentile  converts.  The  text  in  question,  with  its  connection,  is 
an  argument  of  this  sort. 

"  4.  By  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  rest  of  one  day  in 
seven,  enjoined  in  the  moral  law,  was  transferred  to  the  first  day 
of  the  week,  which  was  known  as  the  Lords  day,  and  hence,  the 
observance  of  the  seventh  day  of  the  week,  or  the  Sabbath,  as  a 
Jew  in  those  days  would  understand  the  term,  was,  with  propri- 
ety, classed  with  the  abrogated  ceremonial. 

"  In  the  text  quoted  then  the  Apostle  speaks  particularly  of  holy 
days,  new  moons,  and  Sabbath  days,  (Sabbaths  in  the  original) 
as  belonging  to  the  handwriting  of  ordmances,  which  was  taken 
out  of  the  way  by  the  death  of  Christ,  being  '  a  shadow  of  things 
to  come.'  The  Greek  word,  soprri,  v^rhich  is  here  translated  holy 
day,  is  nowhere  else  so  translated  in  the  New  Testament.  The 
strict  signification  of  the  word  is,  a  public  festival.  I  have  noted 
twenty-eight  passages  in  which  the  word  is  translated  feast,  in 
all  of  which  it  manifestly  relates  to  some  of  the  three  great  pub- 
lic festivals  ordained  in  the  law  of  Moses,  but  most  frequently  to 
the  feast  of  the  Passover.  I  know  of  no  passage  in  which  the 
word  is  used  in  relation  to  any  other  feast.  When  occasional  or 
private  feasts  are  spoken  of,  some  other  word  is  always  used.  It 
is  then  certain  that  a  Jew  or  the  Christian  Colossians  would  dis- 
tinctly understand  the  Apostle  by  the  word  translated  holy  day, 
to  speak  of  the  annual  public  festivals  belonging  to  the  Mosaic 
ceremonial.  The  new  moon  was  a  festival  enjoined  in  the  law 
of  Moses,  not  public,  but  observed  in  families,  or  by  private  cir- 
cles of  kindred.  The  '  Sabbath  days.'  In  the  original  it  is 
'Sabbaths.'  This  use  of  the  plural  does  not,  however,  appear 
to  express  any  thing  different  from  the  use  of  the  singular,  as, 


NEW  TESTA2VIENT  VIEW.  199 

from  some  idiom  of  the  language,  the  plural  of  this  word  is 
often  put  for  the  singular. 

"  It  is,  however,  clear  that  the  Apostle  did  not  xmderstand  by  it 
the  rest,  enjoined  in  the  fourth  commandment,  which  now,  by- 
Christian  usage,  was  observed  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and 
denominated  the  Lord's  day.  That  this  precept  of  the  moral 
law  beloDged  to  '  the  handwriting  of  ordinances  that  was  against 
us,  which  was  contrary  to  us'  and  was  merely  '  a  shadow  of 
things  to  come,'  can,  in  no  candor  of  interpretation,  be  shown. 
That  he  meant  by  it  the  ceremonial  Sabbaths,  such  as  the  Sab- 
bath of  the  seventh  year, — the  first  and  tenth  days  of  the  seventh 
month.  Lev.  xxiii.  24,  32,  &c.  is  a  supposition  in  perfect  consis- 
tency with  the  scope  of  his  discourse.  Equally  so  may  be  the 
supposition,  that  by  it  he  meant  the  observance  of  the  seventh 
day  of  the  week,  which  now,  though  in  accordance  with  the 
Jewish  practice  denominated  the  Sabbath,  had  been  succeeded  by 
the  Lord's  day,  and  of  course,  being  in  connection  with  the  Chris- 
tian Sabbath,  both  unnecessary  and  burdensome,  it  might,  with 
propriety  be  ranked  with  '  the  handwriting  of  ordinances  which 
was  against  us,'  and  regarded  as  '  a  shadow'  of  that  day  which 
has  succeeded  to  its  place.  The  last  supposition,  if  correct,  posi- 
tively authorizes  the  change  of  the  Sabbath  from  the  seventh  to 
the  first  day  of  the  week." 

The  passage.  Mat.  xxiv.  20,  "  But  pray  you  that  your  flight 
be  not  in  the  winter,  neither  on  the  Sabbath  day,"  shows  that, 
not  only  Christ's  disciples,  but  all  men,  after  his  death,  were  to 
keep  a  Sabbath.  For,  the  time  of  which  he  spake  in  this  pas- 
sage, was  about  forty  years  after  his  death,  and  there  was  to  be 
a  Sabbath  at  that  time.  If  the  Jewish  Sabbath  should  be  abol- 
ished, still  there  would  be  a  day  of  rest,  of  religious  worship — a 
Sabbath  ;  for  Sabbath  means  rest.  There  had  always  been  a  Sab- 
bath, and  always  would  be,  to  the  end  of  time.  There  is  no  es- 
cape from  this  passage ;  for  Christ  was  addressing  his  folloivers, 
not  those  who  might  reject  him,  and  therefore  cling  to  the  Jew- 
ish Sabbath,  or  rest.  If  the  disciples  were  to  keep  no  Sabbath, 
after  Christ,  it  would  be  immaterial,  on  what  day  their  flight 
should  happen. 

As  the  seventh  day  was  given  to  the  Jews,  in  distinction  from 


200  THE  SABBATH. 

the  first  day,  or  Sunday  of  the  Pagans,  so,  at  the  abolition  of  the 
Jewish  dispensation,  all  the  Jews  were  to  revert  back  to  the 
day  kept  by  the  Patriarchs,  which  would  be  the  day  on  which 
Christ  rose  from  the  dead. 

It  is  evident  that  Christ  did  not  abolish  the  Jewish  Sabbath 
while  on  earth,  from  the  fact,  that  his  disciples,  and  the  women 
who  were  present  at  the  crucifixion,  would  not  do  any  work  on 
that  day,  however  urgent,  not  even  anoint  the  body  of  their  Lord; 
but  rested  on  the  Jewish  Sabbath.  Then,  at  break  of  day,  after 
it  was  past,  they  went  to  perform  the  work,  Luke  xxiii.  56,  and 
xxiv.  L  Can  any  one  rationally  doubt,  that  Jesus  Christ  taught 
his  disciples,  both  by  precept  and  example,  before  his  death,  to 
observe  the  Jewish  Sabbath,  and  after  his  resurrection,  the 
Lord's  day. 

Isaiah,  Ixvi.  22,  23 — "  For  as  the  new  heavens  and  the  new 
earth  which  I  will  make,  shall  remain  before  me,  saith  the  Lord, 
so  shall  your  seed  and  your  name  remain.  And  it  shall  come  to 
pass,  that  from  one  new  moon  to  another,  and  from  one  Sabbath 
to  another,  shall  all  flesh  come  to  worship  before  me,  saith  the 
Lord." 

"  This  prophecy  beyond  all  question,  refers  to  the  prosperous 
state  of  the  church,  under  the  millenial  reign  of  the  Messiah  ; 
the  most  glorious  period  of  that  new  dispensation  which  seems 
to  be  shadowed  forth  under  the  emblem  of  new  heavens  and  a 
new  earth.  The  church  is  then  to  have  her  ministers,  solenoni- 
ties,  Sabbath  and  holy  ordinances,  as  she  had  under  the  Levitical 
priesthood.  The  Sabbath  will  then  be  observed  by  the  people 
of  God ;  and  of  course  it  was  not  abolished  with  the  ceremonial 
law,  but  belongs  to  the  new  dispensation,  as  certainly  as  it  did  to 
the  old."  Such  a  day  as  the  millenium  will  never  come,  should 
the  Sabbath  be  given  up.  When  that  day  breaks  upon  the 
world  we  shall  have  a  Sabbath.  No  man  will  then  dare  risk 
his  reputation,  and  the  amazing  interests  of  his  soul,  by  laboring 
to  prove  that  the  Sabbath  was  abolished  by  our  Savior. 

But,  as  Christ  came  not  to  destroy  the  law  nor  the  prophets, 
this  prophecy  is  to  be  accomplished,  and  there  will  then  be  a 
Sabbath ;  and  all  flesh  shall  come  and  worship  before  the  Lord. 
The  enemies  of  the  Sabbath  will  dread  to  see  that  day ;  and 


NEW   TESTAIMENT   VIEW.  201 

they  will  not  long  behold,  even  the  dawn  of  it,  unless  they  re- 
pent and  turn  to  God. 

Now  the  devil  and  his  emissaries  on  earth  long  to  see  the 
Sabbath  wholly  abolished,  for  then  their  reign  would  be  univer- 
sal. They  would  like  to  see  it  swept  from  the  decalogue,  for 
then  all  the  other  precepts,  therein  contained,  which  now  so 
much  disturb  them,  would  share  the  same  fate. 

"  The  following  also  will  illustrate  the  fact  that  the  com- 
mand to  remember  the  Sabbath  day,  is  not  revoked,"  and  show 
that  the  New  Testament  lays  men  under  obligation  to  observe 
it.  "  An  Apostle  has  delivered  this  precept — '  Upon  the  first 
day  of  the  week  let  every  one  lay  by  him  in  in  store,'  &c. 
1  Cor.  xvi.  2.  "  Two  things  are  here  enjoined — a  duty,  and  the 
time  for  its  performance.  A  collection  must  be  made  for  the 
poor  saints,  and  this  collection  must  be  taken  up  on  the  first  day 
of  the  week ;  and  this  high  authority  enjoins  the  last  as  deci- 
sively as  the  first.  But  collections  for  the  saints  were  always 
made  by  the  churches  in  their  weekly  assemblies  for  worship. 
Hence  in  connection  with  remembering  the  poor,  the  precept 
involves  an  injunction  to  meet  for  divine  worship  on  the  first 
day  of  the  week." 

Heb.  X.  25 — "  Not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  ourselves 
together  as  the  manner  of  some  is,  [but  exhorting,  &c.]"  This 
is  in  the  New  Testament.  It  would  seem  to  imply  that  there 
must  be  a  stated  time  for  assembling,  or  men  would  rarely  as- 
semble together.  There  is  a  time — a  stated  time  for  religious 
worship,  fixed  by  Almighty  God,  and  foolish  and  wicked  indeed 
is  that  man,  who  would  do  it  away.  The  same  author  says, 
"  There  is  another  argument  which  ought  to  be  brought  into 
view.  This  Sabbath  is  in  the  New  Testament  called  the 
Lord's  day.  Rev.  i.  10.  Now  when  God  puts  his  name  on 
persons,  or  things,  he  intimates,  that  they  are  in  a  peculiar 
manner  devoted  to  him,  for  no  common  display  of  his  glory.  If 
this  day  then  be  the  Lord^s  day,  it  must  be  specially  devoted  to 
him  in  religious  service.  St.  John  fixed,  by  these  terms,  the 
precise  period  on  which  he  received  his  holy  revelation.  It  was 
on  the  Lord's  day.  He  could  not  without  the  imputation  of 
trifling,  mean  every  day,  or  any  day.      This  phrase  is  not  singu- 


202  THE   SABBATH. 

lar  nor  obscure;  its  meaning  is  clearly  determined  in  other 
particulars.  Thus  we  say  the  Lord's  Supper,  the  Lord's  Prayer. 
No  man  complains  of  the  obscurity  of  these  phrases — we  know 
distinctly  at  first,  what  idea  is  meant  to  be  conveyed  by  them." 

But  it  is  asked,  has  not  an  Apostle  classed  Sabbath  dayswhh. 
the  abolished  ceremonies  of  the  Jews  ?  He  has,  and  this  in- 
stead of  operating  against  our  argument,  confirms  what  we 
have  been  advancing.  The  sacred  writers  invariably  use  the 
term  Sabbath^  in  the  New  Testament,  when  writing  of  the  Jew- 
ish rest.  And  this  establishes  the  fact  that  they  have  abolished 
the  seventh  day  Sabbath.  But  the  command  given  before  the 
ceremonies,  to  keep  the  day  of  rest,  stands  unrepealed.  Facts 
clearly  show,  that  the  Apostle  ceased  to  regard  the  seventh  day 
as  a  Sabbath,  binding  on  Christians,  but  regarded  the  Lord's 
day,  the  first  day  of  the  week,  as  the  Sabbath  for  all  future 
ages  and  for  all  people.  They  ceased  to  keep  the  Jewish  Sab- 
bath, or  seventh  day;  for  the  day,  after  the  death  of  Christ,  was 
changed,  and  they  kept  the  Christian,  or  first  day  Sabbath. 

It  is  thought  that  the  118th  Psalm  contains  a  prediction  that 
the  Jewish  Sabbath  should  be  changed  to  the  day  Christ  rose 
from  the  dead.  The  passage  is  as  follows : — "  The  stone 
which  the  builders  refused  is  become  the  head  stone  of  the 
corner.  This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  it  is  marvellous  in  our 
eyes.  This  is  the  day  tvhich  the  Lord  hath  made,  we  will  rejoice 
and  be  glad  in  it."  No  less  than  six  times  is  this  passage  quoted 
and  applied  to  Christ  in  the  New  Testament.  It  may  refer  to 
the  day  of  his  resurrection,  which  should  be  kept  as  a  Sabbath 
by  his  followers. 

The  Apostles  kept  and  authorized  to  be  kept  the  Lord's  day  ; 
and  always  met  with  the  disciples  on  that  day  for  religious 
worship,  breaking  of  bread  and  collecting  the  charities  of  the 
church,  which,  it  is  believed,  has  been  abundantly  proved. 
Sure  we  are  that  the  contrary  can  never  be  shown  by  authentic 
documents,  now  accessible.  That  this  was  their  custom  no  one 
can  doubt  who  believes  their  word  and  the  testimony  of  the  an- 
cient fathers. 

Compare  Mat.  xii.  8. — "  For  the  Son  of  Man  is  Lord  even  of 
the  Sabbath  day."     1  Cor.  xi.  20.      "  When  ye  come  together, 


NEW   TESTAJMENT  VIEW.  203 

therefore,  into  one  place,  this  is  not  to  eat  the  Lord's  Supper." 
AndE-ev.  i.  10.  "  I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day."  "  Now 
if  Christ  was  Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  if  the  Sabbath  was  his  day, 
and  if  the  Lord's  day  was  the  first  day  of  the  week,  then  is  the 
first  day  of  the  week  the  Christian  Sabbath."  Why  if  the  Sab- 
bath was  done  away  in  Christ,  did  he  attempt  to  defend  it  ?  It 
was  never  done  away  by  his  coming. 

"  The  Sabbath  has  been  kept  as  holy  time  by  the  people  of 
God  in  all  ages.  It  has  been  to  them,  not  a  burden  but  a  delight, 
the  holy  of  the  Lord  and  honorable.  That  the  Apostles  and 
primitive  churches  statedly  assembled  for  public  worship  on  the 
Lord's  day,  is  certain.  And  that  they  abstained  from  labor  and 
spent  the  whole  day  in  rehgious  duties,  may  be  confidently  in- 
ferred, as  well  from  their  eminent  piety,  as  from  the  sanctions 
of  the  divine  law,  which  they  cannot  be  supposed  to  have  dis- 
regarded. For  we  have  already  proved  that  Jesus  Christ  left 
the  law  as  he  found  it,  after  freeing  it  from  the  false  glosses  of 
the  Scribes  and  Pharisees.  The  disciples  would  of  course  take 
it  from  him.  And  as  the  people  of  God  had  always  done  before 
them,  they  would  remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy. 

This  is  the  only  fair  and  legitimate  inference — it  cannot  be 
set  aside  by  any  thing  short  of  direct  proof  to  the  contrary.  The 
Bible  furnishes  no  such  proof:  not  a  word,  nor  a  hint,  that 
Christians  of  the  Apostolic  age  did  their  own  work,  or  found  their 
own  pleasure  on  the  Lord's  day." 

CEREMONIAL    SABBA.THS    AND    FESTIVALS. 

Of  the  ceremonial  Sabbaths,  only  seven  will  be  mentioned. 
Gurney  says,  "  The  principles  of  the  Sabbath  were  extended  to 
every  seventh  year,  and  to  all  the  Jewish  festivals." 

The  Original  Institution^  the  Weekly  Sabbath,  is  sometimes 
called  a  feast,  Exod.  xiii.  6. 
.   The  New  Moons  were  Monthly  feasts,  Num.  xxviii.  IL 

The  Passover  was  a  yearly  feast,  Exod.  xxxiv.  25,  and  com- 
memorated the  departure  of  the  Israelites  out  of  Egypt ;  some- 
times called  the  feast  of  Unleavened  Bread.  It  is  also  called  a 
Sabbath,  continued  seven  days,  and  was  one  of  the  great  yearly 
festivals. 


204  THE   SABBATH. 

Pentecost,  Lev.  xxiii.  11, 17,  was  also  one  of  the  great  yearly- 
festivals,  and  is  called  a  Sabbath.  It  continued  but  one  day, 
and  commemorated  the  giving  of  the  law  on  Mount  Sinai ;  call- 
ed also  feast  of  weeks  and  day  of  first  fruits. 

Feast  of  Tabernacles,  Lev.  xxiii.  34.  This  also  was  ano- 
ther of  the  great  yearly  festivals,  (all  of  which  have  now  been 
named,)  and  continued  eight  days;  the  first  and  last  of  which 
were  called  Sabbaths.  During  this  feast  the  children  of  Israel 
dwelt  in  booths. 

Feast  of  Trumpets,  Lev.  xxiii.  24,  was  also  called  Sabbath, 
and  occurred  once  in  seven  months;  called  a  memorial  of  blow- 
ing of  trumpets ;  a  holy  convocation. 

Atonement,  Lev.  xxiii.  27,  was  called  a  Sabbath  of  rest  unto 
Israel.  It  was  to  commence  on  the  eve  of  the  ninth  ;  being,  as 
time  was  then  reckoned,  the  tenth  day  of  the  seventh  month. 
Sometimes  it  is  called  the  day  of  propitiation.  On  this  day  all 
Israel  were  to  afflict  their  souls.  But  all  the  other  festivals, 
whether  public  or  private,  were  days  of  rejoicing;  not  of  sinful 
amusement  and  mirth,  but  designed  to  be  of  holy  joy  and  thanks- 
giving. On  this  day  the  Juhilee^  or  50th  year  festival,  com- 
menced. 

Feast  of  Purim,  Esther  ix.  17,  32. 

Feast  of  Sabbaths,  or  Every  Seventh  Year,  Lev.  xxv.  4 ;  also 
called  the  Sabbatical  Year. 

Feast  of  Jubilee,  Lev.  xxv.  8,  9,  was  on  the  50th  year,  called 
Sabbath ;  which  was  to  begin  on  the  tenth  day  of  the  seventh 
month,  or  day  of  atonement.  It  was  ushered  in  by  the  sound 
of  the  trumpet  throughout  all  the  land. 

Here  are  some  of  the  Ceremonial  Sabbaths,  of  which  the 
apostle  speaks  in  Col.  ii.  16,  as  the  handwriting  of  ordinances, 
and  shadows  of  things  to  come ;  ordinances  respecting  meats, 
drinks,  holy  day,  new  moons,  and  Sabbath  days  so  called.  The 
Christian  rest  is  not  referred  to  in  these  passages.  Those  cere- 
monial days  were  not  to  be  observed  until  Israel  should  be  set- 
tled in  Canaan.  The  weekly  Sabbath  they  were  then  bound  to 
observe.  They  were  called  solemn  feasts,  set  feasts  ;  all  of  which 
were  typical,  and  to  be  done  away  when  Christ  should  finish  the 
work  of  redemption.     Then,  Jew  and  Gentile,  when  this  parti- 


NEW  TESTAJIENT  VIEW. 


205 


tion  wall  should  be  broken  down,  must  look  to  the  moral  law 
and  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  as  their  guide,  and  keep  only  the 
Sabbath  given  to  man  in  Eden.  They  were  no  longer  to  offer 
up  sacrifices  for  sin,  but  accept  of  the  sacrifice  Christ  offered  once 
for  all. 

Sabbath  and  New  Moons  were  not  the  same  thing.  Neither 
do  Sabbaths,  mentioned  in  this  connection,  often,  if  ever,  mean 
the  original  institution — the  fourth  commandment. 


1st  Chron. 
2d  Chron. 


Isa. 

2d  Kings 

Isa 

Amos 

Ezra 

Neh. 

Ezek. 


Hosea 


xxiii.  31. 

ii.     4. 

viii.  13. 

xxxi.     3. 

i.  13,  14. 

iv.  23. 

Ixvi.  23. 

viii.     5. 

iii.     5. 

X.  33. 

xlv.  17. 

xlvi.     3. 

11. 


Sab.  and  N.  Moons. 


Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 


Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 


11. 


N.  Moons  and  Set  Feasts. 
N.  Moons  and  Sabbath. 
N.  M.  and  Feasts  and  Sab. 
Do.     Do.     and  Sabbaths. 
Feast  days,  N.  Moons  and 
Sabbaths,  &c. 
Compare  the  above  with  Col.  ii.  16,  17. 
If  the  Sabbath  days  in  Colossians  mean  the  institution  spoken 
of  in  the  fourth  commandment,  then  it  would  seem  that  all  the 
other  days  called  Sabbaths  might  still  be  required  to  be  observed. 
But  this  cannot  be,  because  the  apostles  and  disciples  had  long  kept 
the  Rest,  which  God  had  ordained  at  the  beginning,  on  the  Lord's 
day.     If  the  apostle  intended  to  include  the  Jewish  Sabbath,  as 
wdl  as  these  ceremonial  feast-days,  or  if  he  referred  to  the  Jew- 
ish exclusively,  which  was  then  really  done  away,  still  he  could 
not  allude  to  the  original  institution,  which  was  at  that  time 
transferred  to  the  Lord's  day,  or  first  day  of  the  week. 

Holy  Day.  It  will  be  evident  from  the  following  passages, 
that  when  holy  days  are  spoken  of,  they  do  not  necessarily  mean 
the  Sabbaths,  or  Sabbath  ;  but  that  there  were  days  to  which 
this  appellation  was  properly  applied,  and  which  distinguished 
them  from  all  those  days.  "  Holy  day,"  standing  independently,  as 
18 


206  THE   SABBATH. 

it  does  in  Col.  ii.  16,  and  Neh.  viii.  9 — 11,  does  not,  it  is  believed, 
ever  mean  the  weehly  rest.  The  words  holy  and  holy  day  are 
frequently  used  in  connection  with  the  weekly  Sabbath,  as  well 
as  ceremonial  Sabbaths  and  other  festivals  ;  but  in  all  these  in- 
stances it  is  easy  to  determine,  whether  the  writer  is  speaking  of 
the  original  institution^  or  of  some  of  the  ceremonial  days :  See 
Neh.  viii.  9, 11.  This  is  the  first  day  of  the  seventh  month,  as 
may  be  seen  in  the  second  verse  of  this  chapter.  (See  Doolittle's 
extract  on  Feasts,  already  quoted.)  Neh.  x.  31 :  "  On  the  Sab- 
bath, or  on  the  holy  day."  Ps.  xlii.  4 :  "  Multitude  that  kept 
holy  day,"  perhaps  applied  to  all  days  of  convocation.  Isa.  Iviii. 
13  :  "  Holy  day,  and  call  the  Sabbath  a  delight." 

In  this  last  passage  Isaiah  evidently  refers  to  the  original  in- 
stitution. The  Jews  could  not  misunderstand  the  sacred  writers 
when  speaking  of  their  days  of  rest,  nor  need  we'.  The  weekly 
rest  is  always  so  referred  to  as  to  distinguish  it  from  the  ceremo- 
nial rests.  The  command  to  observe  the  former  was  written  by 
a  different  hand,  kept  in  a  different  place,  and  considered,  in 
many  respects,  far  more  sacred  than  the  latter.  And  those  who 
lived  immediately  after  Christ  did  not  misunderstand  allusions 
to  these  different  institutions.  They  all  understood  Sabbath, 
when  used  alone,  to  refer  to  the  seventh  day,  or  Jewish  rest,  and 
never  the  first  day ;  but  when  used  in  connection  with  new 
moons,  &c.  to  refer  to  their  ceremonial  days.  When  the  Chris- 
tian rest  was  mentioned,  it  was  always  during  a  few  of  the  first 
centuries,  called  the  Lord's  day.  Nor  was  it  till  after  the  dis- 
putes between  the  Jewish  and  Gentile  converts  had  mainly  sub- 
sided, and  civil  rulers  had  required  the  observance  of  the  Lord's 
day,  and  forbidden  the  keeping  of  the  seventh,  that  the  term 
Sabbath  was  applied  to  the  first  day  of  the  week.  During  all 
this  time,  the  word  Sunday  may  have  been  used  by  many,  to 
designate  some  of  the  heathen  holy  days.  In  modern  times  it  is 
often  used  by  some  as  synonymous  with  Sabbath,  or  Lord's  day. 

Objection  V. — "  There  is  no  Evidence  that  the  Day  was 
CHANGED,"  or  that  the  early  Christians  observed  the  first  day. 

When  the  objector  is  pressed  with  the  evidence,  that  the  Sab- 
bath was  designed  for  all  men  in  all  time,  he  sometimes  meets 


THE  DAY  HAS  BEEN  CHANGED.  207 

US  with  another  objection.  Th«  fourth  commandment,  on  which 
so  much  stress  is  laid,  says,  "  The  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath." 
Now  you  do  not  keep  that  day,  but  the  first,  and  you  have  no 
authority  for  the  change.  The  attempt  is  even  made  to  show 
that  the  apostles  and  early  Christians  did  not  keep  the  first  day 
of  the  week  as  a  Sabbath.  We  answer,  that  there  is  abundant 
evidence,  from  the  example  of  early  Christians,  and  from  the 
authority  of  the  Fathers,  that  the  first  day  is  to  be  observed  in- 
stead of  the  seventh. 

In  support  of  the  above  allegation,  Constantine  is  quoted, 
as  saying,  "  Let  all  the  judges  and  townspeople,  and  those  who 
follow  the  occupation  of  trades,  rest  on  the  venerable  day  of  the 
Sun ;  but  let  all  those  who  follow  agriculture,  carefully  attend 
to  their  business;  because  it  often  happens  that  no  day  is  so 
favorable  to  sowing  corn  and  planting  vines,  lest  thereby  the 
precious  fruits  of  the  earth  be  slipped."  Very  conclusive,  indeed, 
that  the  Sabbath  was  not  observed  when  this  edict  was  passed  ! ! 
For  objectors  will  have  it,  that  the  Jewish  was  done  away  at  the 
death  of  Christ,  by  special  direction ;  and  they  intend  to  prove, 
by  this  quotation,  that  there  was,  at  that  time,  no  Christian 
Sabbath:  so  that  the  conclusion  must  be,  that  none  at  all  was 
then  observed,  than  which  nothing  can  be  more  false. 

If  this  quotation  is  correct,  it  will  be  seen  that  Constantine 
thought  it  necessary  for  certain  classes  of  his  subjects  to  keep  a 
Sabbath,  though  others  in  certain  seasons  might  labor.  To 
infer  from  this  edict,  that  "  no  one"  thought  it  sinful  to  work  on 
the  Sabbath,  or  Lord's  day,  is  like  a  man's  concluding,  after 
reading  reports  in  favor  of  Sunday  mails,  that  no  man  in  this 
nation  was  against  them.  One  would  be  proved  as  "  conclu- 
sively" as  the  other. 

When  Constantine  was  converted,  about  a.  d.  325,  it  should 
be  remembered  that  the  Jewish  Sabbath  was  not  wholly  done 
away.  It  is  believed  by  some  that  the  Christian  church  was 
returning  to  the  observance  of  it,  as  a  Sabbath,  to  the  neglect  of 
the  first  day,  and  that  Constantine,  while  he  commanded  the 
observance  of  the  first,  may  have  done  the  same  also  with  re- 
spect to  the  observance  of  the  seventh  day.  It  is  well  known, 
that  while  the  converts  to  Christianity,  after  the  resurrection 


208  THE   SABEATH. 

of  Christ,  generally  observed  the  first  day  only  as  a  Sabbath, 
many  of  the  Jewish,  and  perhaps  some  of  the  Gentile  converts, 
observed  also  the  seventh.  This  doubtless  led  to  the  various 
edicts,  and  the  teachings  of  the  Apostles,  in  relation  to  this  sub- 
ject. Many  of  the  Jewish  converts  were  tenacious,  that  their 
rites  and  ceremonies  should  be  engrafted  upon  the  Christian 
system.  The  Apostles  and  others  opposed  it.  We  are  told 
that  some  of  the  spurious  authors  of  the  fourth  century  required 
the  observance  of  both  days.  But  during  the  first  three  centu- 
ries, there  was  much  unanimity  in  the  minds  of  the  ancient  Fa- 
thers and  their  immediate  successors,  relative  to  the  day  to  be 
observed ;  which,  as  will  be  shown,  was  the  Lord's  day.  Facts 
prove  that  the  change  from  the  seventh  to  the  first  day,  was 
gradual. 

The  Apostles  allowed  the  Jewish  converts  to  continue  to 
keep  the  seventh  day  when  first  converted,  if  they  chose  to  do 
so,  training  them  to  observe  only  the  Lord's  day,  by  little  and 
little.  But,  suppose  Constantine,  in  this  edict,  did  give  his 
views  fully  on  the  sacredness  of  this  institution,  that  is  no  proof 
that  they  were  correct,  for  he  was  then  but  a  child  in  Christian 
knowledge. 

But  "  EusEBius,  in  his  life  of  Constantine,  assures  us,  that  when 
the  emperor  embraced  Christianity,  he  appointed  that  the  Lord's 
day  should  be  consecrated  to  prayer;  and  commanded  through 
all  the  Roman  empire,  that  they  should  forbear  to  labor  or  do 
any  work  on  the  Lord's  day."  If  Christians  at  this  time  were 
inclining  to  the  Jewish  Sabbath,  or  to  keep  hoth^  we  can  readily 
understand  the  propriety,  as  well  as  the  necessity,  of  these  edicts. 
Eusebius  was  elected  Bishop  of  Caesarea,  about  the  year  313. 
He  wrote  an  ecclesiastical  history  from  the  days  of  Christ  down 
to  324,  and  must  have  known  the  general  practice. 

Dr.  Cave  says,  "  No  sooner  was  Constantine  come  over  to 
the  Church,  but  his  principal  care  was  about  the  Lord's  day; 
he  commanded  it  to  be  solemnly  observed,  and  that  by  all  per- 
sons whatsoever ;  he  made  it  a  day  of  rest,  that  men  might  have 
nothing  to  do  but  to  worship  God,  and  be  better  instructed  in 
the  Christian  faith." 

But  whether  the  objector's  quotation  is  or  is  not  correct,  there 


THE  DAY  HAS  BEEN  CHANGED.  209 

is  no  discrepancy  in  Constantine's  testimony.  For,  at  the  time 
when  he  gave  the  edicts  last  quoted,  he  might  have  had  more 
correct  views  of  the  nature  and  design  of  the  institution,  than 
when  he  wrote  the  first.  Both  show  that  the  first  day  of  the 
week  was  considered  by  most  of  his  people,  and  by  himself,  as 
the  Sabbath ;  and  though  he  might  not  have  carefully  conformed 
to  his  duty  in  the  first  place,  it  was  not  long  before  he  did. 

The  Ebiperor  Leo  has  been  quoted,  to  prove  that  the  early 
Christians  kept  no  Sabbath.  Hear  what  is  considered  "  conclu- 
sive evidence,"  from  his  pen,  as  quoted  by  the  enemies  of  that 
day.  "  We  ordain,  &c.,  that  neither  husbandmen, nor  any  others 
on  that  day,  put  their  hands  to  unlawful  work."  How  illogical 
must  be  that  mind,  which  can,  from  such  data,  say  that  the 
early  Christians  kept  no  Sabbath.  With  equal  propriety  might 
it  be  said,  that,  because  the  people  of  our  new  territories,  when 
they  become  independent  bodies,  enact  laws,  prohibiting  theft, 
gambling,  and  the  like ;  therefore,  it  is  certain  that  all  the  in- 
habitants in  such  territories,  previous  to  the  enactment  of  these 
laws,  were  thieves  and  gamblers  ! !  But  Leo  says,  unlawful  work  ; 
showing  that  before  this  edict,  there  was  some  work,  which  it 
would  be  unlawful  to  do  on  that  day. 

"  In  France  and  Hungary,  as  early  as  the  sixth  century,  laws 
were  made  against  Sabbath  profanation.  Charlemagne,  son  of 
Pepin,  convoked  the  clergy  to  make  canons  for  the  keeping  of 
the  Sabbath,  and  also  publishing  his  own  royal  edict,  of  which 
the  following  is  an  extract." 

"  We  ordain  (as  is  required  in  the  law  of  God,)  that  no  man 
do  any  servile  work  on  the  Lord's  day,  i.  e.,  that  they  employ 
not  themselves  in  the  works  of  husbandry,  in  dressing  their  vines, 
plowing  their  ground,  making  hay,  felling  trees,  digging  in 
the  mines,  or  building  houses ;  that  they  do  not  go  a  hunting  in 
the  fields,  or  plead  in  courts  of  justice  ;  but  that  they  all  come 
to  church  and  magnify  the  Lord  their  God,  for  those  good 
things,  which  are  this  day  to  be  bestowed  upon  them."  "  As 
is  required  in  the  law  of  God."  It  seems  that  people  in  the 
sixth  century,  believed  that  the  law  of  God  required  men  to 
keep  the  Lord's  day. 

Had  the  objectors  seen  this  extract,  they  would  probably  have 
18* 


210  THE  SABBATH. 

quoted  it  also,  to  prove  that  before  this  edict  was  passed,  no  one 
observed  a  Sabbath. 

We  understand  the  Emperor  Leo,  about  440,  to  say,  "  It  is 
our  will  and  pleasure,  that  the  holy  day,  dedicated  to  the  Most 
High  God,  should  not  be  spent  in  sensual  recreations,  or  other- 
wise profaned  by  suits  of  law."  Speaking  of  farmers,  in  rela- 
tion to  this  subject,  he  says :  "  As  to  the  pretence,  that  by  this 
rest,  an  opportunity  may  be  lost,  [of  securuig  crops,]  this  is  a 
poor  reason,  considering  that  the  fruits  of  the  earth  do  not  de- 
pend so  much  on  the  diligence  and  pains  of  men,  as  on  the  eflS- 
cacy  of  the  sun  and  the  blessing  of  God.  We  command  there- 
fore all,  whether  husbandmen  or  others,  to  forbear  work  on  this 
day  of  the  resurrection.  For  if  other  people  (meaning  the  Jews) 
keep  the  shadow  of  this  day  in  a  solemn  rest  from  all  secular 
labor,  on  the  Sabbath  [the  seventh  day]  how  much  rather  ought 
we  to  observe  the  substance,  a  day  so  ennobled  by  our  gracious 
Lord,  who  saved  us  from  destruction."  Again,  Leo  thus  ex- 
presses the  sentiment  of  the  whole  Christian  church : — "  We 
ordain,  according  to  the  true  meaning  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of 
the  apostles  thereby  directed,  that  on  the  sacred  day  wherein 
our  own  integrity  was  restored,  all  do  rest  and  cease  from  labor ; 
that  neither  husbandmen  nor  any  other  on  that  day,  put  their 
hand  to  forbidden  work.  For  if  the  Jews  did  so  much  reverence 
their  Sabbaths  which  were  but  a  shadow  of  ours,  are  not  we 
who  inhabit  the  light  and  truth  of  grace,  bound  to  honor  that 
day  which  the  Lord  himself  has  honored,  and  hath  therein  de- 
livered us  from  dishonor  and  from  death  ?  Are  we  not  bound 
to  keep  it  singular  and  inviolable,  well  contenting  ourselves  with 
so  liberal  a  grant  of  the  rest,  and  not  encroaching  upon  that  one 
day  which  God  hath  chosen  for  his  own  honor  ?  Were  it  not 
reckless  neglect  of  religion  to  make  that  very  day  common,  and 
to  think  we  may  do  with  it  as  with  the  rest  ?" 

From  these  edicts,  it  is  perfectly  evident,  that  instead  of  there 
being  no  Sabbath  observed,  by  any  of  the  subjects  of  Leo  at 
that  time,  one  was  known  and  observed,  if  not  two — the  Jewish 
and  the  Christian ;  and  he  was  desirous  to  make  Christians  give 
up  the  practice  of  keeping  the  seventh  day.  Though  some  did 
pretend,  as  at  the  present  time,  that  those  who  rested  on  the 


THE  DAY  HAS  BEEN  CHANGED.  21 J 

Sabbath,  would  lose  property  by  it,  he  did  not  think  it  a  good 
reason  why  it  should  not  be  kept.  Doubtless,  at  that  time,  as 
in  the  days  of  Constantine,  there  were  many  who  did  not  ob- 
serve the  Lord's  day ;  but  would  either  keep  the  Jewish  Sabbath, 
or  none  at  all ;  the  latter,  from  the  language  of  the  edict,  being 
most  probable;  and  the  Emperor  therefore  commanded  that  all 
should  keep  the  Lord's  day.  Had  there  been  no  Sabbath  ob- 
served by  any  one,  when  he  gave  this  command,  he  would  not 
have  used  the  language  he  did.  This  evidence  of  the  objectors 
must  also  be  set  down  for  nothuig. 

Objectors  to  the  Sabbath  quote  Justin  Martyr,  to  prove  that 
there  was  not  only  no  Sabbath  before  Moses,  but  that  the  early 
Christians  did  not  observe  any.  They  adduce  the  following 
quotation,  and  lay  great  stress  on  it,  on  the  ground  that  he  must 
have  known  the  facts  on  this  subject.  This  is  true  in  regard  to 
the  practice  of  the  early  Christians,  but  not  true  as  it  respects 
the  question  of  a  Sabbath  before  Moses.  "  There  is  another 
circumcision,  and  you  (Trypho)  thmk  highly  of  that  of  the  flesh. 
The  law  would  have  you  keep  a  perpetual  Sabbath  ;  but  you, 
when  you  have  spent  one  day  idle,  think  you  are  religious,  not 
knowing  why  it  was  commanded.  But  I  would  have  you  know 
that  as  there  was  no  circumcision  before  Abraham,  nor  Sabbath, 
or  sacrifices  before  Moses,  so  are  they  all  done  away  in  Christ. 
Continue  as  you  were  created  ;  do  you  not  see  that  the  elements 
are  never  idle,  or  keep  a  Sabbath  ?" 

We  have  not  seen  this  extract,  except  as  thus  quoted  by  the 
enemies  of  the  Sabbath.  If  it  be  a  fair  quotation,  it  is  not  easy 
to  reconcile  all  parts  of  it,  with  other  things  said  by  that  author. 
It  makes  him  contradict  himself  in  regard  to  the  Sabbath,  and 
say  that  which  is  not  true  in  relation  to  sacrifices.  In  one  part 
of  this  quotation,  he  says,  "  the  law  would  have  you  keep  a  per- 
petual Sabbath."  It  is  well  known,  that  Justin  Martyr  be- 
lieved that  there  never  was  a  Sabbath  before  Moses ;  but  we 
cannot  believe  that  he  ever  intended  to  teach,  that  primitive 
Christians,  and  all  men  since  their  day,  were  not  bound  to  keep 
a  Sabbath.  When  Trypho  avers,  that  the  Christians  differed  in 
nothing  fi-om  the  heathen,  inasmuch  as  they  "  neither  observed 
circumcision,  the  Sabbath,  nor  the  other  festivals,"  it  may  be  said 


212  THE  SABBATH. 

he  was  in  part  correct,  unless  Christians  at  that  time  called  the 
Lord's  day  Sabbath,  which  they  probably  did  not.  For  they  did 
not  observe  circumcision,  nor,  as  a  body,  the  Jeioish  Sabbath,  nor 
their  festivals.  These  were  all  done  away  in  Christ.  But  that 
Christians,  and  Justin  Martyr  among  them,  obser\'^ed  the  Lord's 
day,  most  fully  appears  from  his  own  writings.  Hence,  what- 
ever he  did  mean  in  this  quotation,  he  did  not  mean  to  teach 
that  Christians,  and  all  men,  are  not  bound  to  keep  the  Lord's 
day,  as  a  Sabbath.  But  neither  Justin  Martyr,  who  was  edu- 
cated a  heathen,  nor  Martin  Luther,  nor  Calvin,  just  emerged 
from  Popery,  nor  Paley,  all  of  whom  believed  the  Sabbath  an 
institution  originating  in  the  Jewish  dispensation,  can  establish 
the  positions  he  has  taken  on  this  subject.  They  must  fall  be- 
fore unbiased  and  thorough  examination  of  the  subject. 

Some  other  quotations  from  the  same  author  will  be  adduced, 
to  show  that  we  have  his  authority  not  only  for  a  Sabbath,  but 
for  observing  the  first  day  instead  of  the  seventh. 

Priestly  says,  "  The  primitive  Christians  had  no  festivals,  be- 
side Sunday,  on  which  they  always  met  for  public  worship,  as 
may  be  inferred  from  Justin  Martyr."  He  would  not  call  it 
Sabbath,  but  Sunday ;  the  day  originally  kept  as  a  Sabbath.  He 
might  have  called  it  Lord's  day,  for  the  Jewish  day  of  rest,  on 
Saturday,  was  still  called  Sabbath,  and  the  Christian  rest,  Lord's 
day,  for  some  centuries  after  Christ  rose. 

Justin  Martyr,  as  quoted  by  Calmet,  observes,  "  That  on  the 
Lord's  day,  all  Christians  in  the  city  or  country  meet  together, 
because  that  is  the  day  of  our  Lord's  resurrection ;  and  then  we 
read  the  writings  of  the  apostles  and  prophets.  This  being 
done,  the  President  makes  an  oration  to  the  assembly,  to  exhort 
them  to  imitate  and  to  practice  the  things  they  have  heard ;  then 
we  all  join  in  prayer,  and  after  that  we  celebrate  the  sacrament. 
Then  they  who  are  able  and  willing  give  what  they  think  pro- 
per, and  what  is  collected  is  laid  up  in  the  hands  of  the  Presi- 
dent, who  distributes  it  to  orphans  and  widows,  and  other  ne- 
cessitous Christians,  as  their  wants  require." 

GuRNEY  quotes  him  still  further,  and  says,  Justin  Martyr 
"  concludes  by  explaining  why  this  day  of  the  week  was  chosen 
for  their  public  worship,"  viz :  "  We  all  meet  together  on  the 


THE   DAY   HAS  BEEN   CHANGED.  213 

Sunday,  because  it  is  the  first  day^  on  which  God  turned  the 
darkness  [into  light],  gave  shape  to  the  chaos,  and  made  tlie 
world  ;  and  on  the  same  day  Jesus  Christ  our  Savior  rose  from 
the  dead." 

He  moreover  says,  that  "  at  the  close  of  the  first  and  the  be- 
ginning of  the  second  century,  on  the  day  called  Sunday,  is  an 
assembly  of  all  who  live  in  the  city  or  country,  and  the  memoirs 
of  the  apostles  and  the  writings  of  the  prophets  are  read."  Jus- 
tin Martyr  was  converted  about  the  year  130. 

On  Romans  xiv.  5,  "  One  man  esteemeth  one  day  above  ano- 
ther, another  esteemeth  every  day  alike  ;  let  every  man  be  fully 
persuaded  in  his  own  mind,"  Professor  Stuart  remarks  as 
follows : 

"  1,  That  the  apostle,  as  appears  from  the  context,  is  evidently 
contending  against  those  who  were  imbued  with  Jewish  super- 
stitions, and  with  zeal  for  the  continued  observance  of  the  Mosaic 
law.  In  the  epistle  to  the  Romans,  this  is  perfectly  clear ;  inas- 
much as  the  context  is  occupied  with  the  dispute  respecting  the 
use  of  meats,  &c.  In  the  epistle  to  the  Colossians  it  is  equally 
clear;  inasmuch  as  the  things  enumerated  in  the  very  verse  in 
question,  are  things  which  pertain  to  the  ritual  of  the  Mosaic  law. 
The  nature  of  the  days  mentioned,  then,  is  to  be  judged  of  in  a 
mamier  that  is  accordant  with  the  fact  just  stated. 

"  2.  In  the  apostolic  age,  there  prevailed  a  distinction  between 
the  name  of  the^rs^  day  of  the  week  and  of  the  seventh  ;  the 
Lord's  day  (^/i£f>a  KvpiuKii) ;  the  latter  Sabbath  {caP/SaTOi').  So 
we  have  it  in  Rev.  i.  10.  '  I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord^s  day."* 
So  Ignatius  (Epist.  ad  Magnes,  about  A.  D.  101)  calls  the  first 
day  of  the  week,  the  Lord^s  day  {rhv  KvpiaKviv),  the  day  consecrat- 
ed -to  the  resurrection,  the  queen  and  prince  of  all  days.  And 
again,  in  the  same  espistle  :  '  Let  every  friend  of  Christ  celebrate 
the  Lord^s  day  {rhu  KvpiuKiiv).^  That  all  the  later  Christian  Fa- 
thers made  the  distinction  just  mentioned,  need  not  be  proved  to 
any  one  acquainted  in  any  tolerable  degree  with  the  ancient 
writers  of  the  Christian  church.  '  It  was  called  the  Lord's  day, 
because  the  Lord  arose  from  the  dead  on  this  day,'  says  Chry- 
sostom  (and  very  truly)  in  his  Commentary  on  Ps.  CXIX.  It 
was  not  until  the  party  in  the  Christian  church  had  become  ex- 


214  THE    SABBATH. 

tinct,  or  nearly  so,  who  pleaded  for  the  observance  of  the  sev- 
enth day  or  Jewish  Sabbath,  as  well  as  of  the  Lord's  day,  that 
the  name  Sabbath  began  to  be  given  to  the  Jirst  day  of  the 
week. 

"  3.  In  the  ancient  church,  even  from  the  first,  there  was  a  par- 
ty who  kept  the  seventh  day  of  the  week  (i.  e.  the  Jewish  Sab- 
bath), as  well  as  the  first.  Nothmg  could  be  more  natural  than 
for  the  Judaizing  Christians  to  insist  upon  this  ;  for  as  they  were 
unwilling  to  remit  even  any  of  the  less  important  prescriptions 
of  the  ritual  law,  how  much  more  would  they  hold  to  the  sa- 
credness  of  the  Jewish  Sabbath  ?  Theodoret  (Haeret.  Fab.  II. 
1.),  speaking  of  the  Ebionites,  i.  e.  a  party  of  the  Judaizing 
Christians,  says :  '  They  keep  the  Sabbath  according  to  the  Jew- 
ish Law,  and  sanctify  the  Lord's  day  in  like  manner  as  we  do.^ 
This  gives  a  good  historical  view  o  f  the  state  of  things,  in  the 
early  ages  of  the  church.  More  or  less  of  seventh  day  observance 
was  practised,  at  length,  in  nearly  all  the  Greek  and  Latin 
churches ;  in  the  former  this  day  was  kept  as  a  festival,  in  the 
latter  as  a  fast.  As  superstition  increased,  matters  came  at 
length  to  such  a  pass,  that  the  Council  of  Laodicea  (about  A.  D. 
350)  were  obliged  to  make  a  decree,  that  Christians  should  not 
refrain  from  labor  on  the  seventh  day  or  the  Sabbath.  Their 
words  are :  '  It  is  not  proper  for  Christians  to  Judaize,  and  to 
cease  from  labor  on  the  Sabbath  [seventh  day]  ;  but  they  ought 
to  work  on  this  day ;  and  to  put  especial  honor  (Trpon// Jivres)  upon 
the  Lord^s  day,  by  refraining  from  labor  as  Christians.  If  any 
one  be  found  Judaizing  let  him  be  anathematised,'  &c.  Can.  29. 
See  Bingham's  Ecc.  Antiq.  V.  p.  286. 

"  4.  With  such  facts  in  view,  nothing  is  easier  than  to  explain 
the  passages  above  quoted  from  the  epistles  of  Paul.  The  zeal- 
ots for  the  law  wished  the  Jewish  Sabbath  to  be  observed,  as  well 
as  the  Lord^s  day  ;  for  about  the  latter,  there  appears  never  to 
have  been  any  question  among  any  class  of  the  early  Christians, 
so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  discover.  Even  the  Ebionites,  as 
we  have  seen,  kept  the  Lord^s  day.  But  Paul  did  not  believe 
that  Christians  were  bound  to  observe  the  Jewish  Sabbath. 
Still  he  did  not  wish  those  to  be  contradicted,  who  were  zealous 
for  this  usage.     '  Let  each  one  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own 


THE  DAT  HAS  BEEN  CHANGED.  215 

mind,'  said  he ;  i.  e.  '  Let  each  one  act,  in  this  respect,  as  his 
own  conscience  shall  judge  best.  I  do  not  forbid  to  keep  the 
seventh  day  :  nor  can  I  enjoin  upon  him  to  keep  it.' 

"  That  the  early  Christians  never  understood  Paul  as  renouncing 
the  observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath,  is  sufficiently  manifest 
from  the  fact,  that  one  and  all  of  them  held  the  first  day  of  the 
week  to  be  sacred.  As  Lord^s  day  wels  the  universal  appellation 
of  this,  in  the  early  ages,  so  there  was  no  danger  of  their  misap- 
prehending Paul,  (as  many  in  modern  times  have  done),  when 
he  spoke  of  the  Sabbaths,  which  are  a  shadow  of  things  to  come. 
Indeed  this  last  expression  shews  that  Jewish  Sabbaths  must 
have  been  meant :  for  the  things  to  come  are  those  things  which 
belong  to  the  gospel  dispensation,  i.  e.  the  things  yet  future,  while 
the  observance  of  the  ritual  law  was  in  full  force.  See  He- 
brews X.  1. 

"  These  considerations  make  it  plain,  how  much  the  two  texts 
in  question  have  been  misinterpreted,  when  they  have  been  ex- 
plained as  meaning,  that  under  the  Christian  dispensation  the 
Sabbath  is  a  matter  of  indifference,  which  is  wholly  left  to  the 
private  judgment  of  each  individual.  That  such  was  the  case 
in  regard  to  the  Jewish  or  seventh-day  Sabbath,  is  indeed  very 
clear.  Moreover,  because  Paul  did  not  expressly  decide  against 
the  keeping  of  this,  the  practice  of  it  was  continued  by  the  Chris- 
tians, Avho  were  jealous  for  the  honor  of  the  Mosaic  law,  and 
finally  became,  as  we  have  seen,  predominant  throughout  Chris- 
tendom. It  was  supposed,  at  length,  that  the  fourth  command- 
ment, did  require  the  observance  of  the  seventh-day  Sabbath,  (not 
merely  a  seventh  part  of  time) ;  and,  reasoning  as  Christians  of 
the  present  day  are  wont  to  do,  viz.  that  all  which  belonged  to 
the  ten  commandments  was  immutable  and  perpetual,  the 
churches  in  general  came  gradually  to  regard  the  seventh-day 
Sabbath  as  altogether  sacred.  But  amidst  all  this  mistaken 
reasoning  and  usage,  which  (as  we  have  seen)  the  Council  of 
Laodicea  felt  themselves  bound  to  correct,  I  find  no  traces  of  a 
doubt  raised,  whether  the  Lord''s  day,  i.  e.  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  was  to  be  kept  sacred.  The  testimony  of  Pliny  in  A.  D. 
107,  that  '  Christians  [as  those  whom  he  examined  declared] 
were  accustomed  to  meet  together  stato  die,  on  a  stated  day';^ 


21  n  THE   SABTlATir. 

tlic  testimony  of  Ignatius  (  A.  D.  101),  above  cited,  viz,  thai  '  the 
first  day  of  the  week  was  the  Lor(Vs  day^  resurrection-day  {kmn- 
idijinuv)^  the  queen  and  prince?  of  all  days;'  and  also  his  exhor- 
tation, '  Let  every   friend  of  Cijrist  cdchralr,    the.   LortVn   day^ 

{lopralliTO)  iTiii    fMypicrroi  r>iv    KvpinKfiv,    f^C  {ijiqiav) ',   added    tO    that    ol 

John,  that'  he  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord\s  day,''  and  to  that 
of  the  epistle  of  liarnahas  (which  belongs  to  the  apostolic  age), 
viz.  that  Christians  'keep  the  eighth  day  [i.  e,  the  first  day  of 
the  week  |  as  a  joyful  holy  day  ;^  these  testimonies  confirm  beyond 
all  reasonable  doubt  the  fact,  that  the  observance,  and  the  spe- 
cial religious  observance,  of  the  Lord's  day  was  practised  by 
(/hristisms,  and  by  all  of  (^vcry  sect  and  name,  from  the  very  age 
of  the  a]K)Stles.  Nothing  can  be  more  erroneous  than  to  repre- 
sent the  ancient  church  as  halting  or  divided  about  the  observ- 
ance of  the  rcsurrrclion-day^  i.  e.  the  first  day  of  the  week.  It 
was  about  the  seventh  day  or  Jewish  Sabbath,  that  all  the  dis- 
putes arose  which  were  of  a  sabbatical  nature." 

In  this  extract  from  Professor  Stuart,  we  have  the  testimony 
of  Baniiibas,  the  fellow-laborer  of  Paul,  and  that  of  Ignatius,  the 
companion  of  John.  Now,  did  not  Ignatius  know,  whether  the 
Aposlle  Jolui,  who  "  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day,"  and 
the  rest  of  tin;  A])ostles,  kept  that  day  as  a  Sabbath  ?  This  was 
sixty  or  seventy  years  after  the  resurrection,  that  the  first  day  of 
the  week  was  called  "  the  Lord's  day,"  evidently  attaching  to 
it  the  sacredness  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  or  rest.  Surely  Igna- 
tius must  have  known,  and  there  cannot  be  the  least  shadow  of 
doubt,  that  the  ])rimitive  (christians,  thougli  for  a  lime  they  may 
have  kept  both  the  Jewish  and  the  Christian  Sabbaths,  gradu- 
ally gave  up  the  foruuM-,  and  all  came  at  length  to  the  exclusive 
observance  of  the  latter. 

In  the  extract  from  IVofessor  Stuart,  we  have  also  the  canon 
adopted  by  the  Synod  of  Laodicca,  about  the  year  350.  From 
this  canon,  it  appears,  that  some  who  embraced  Christianity  in 
that  age,  preferred  to  keep  both  the  Jewish  and  the  Christian 
Sabbath  ;  but  no  where  does  it  ap])ear,  that  any  of  the  new  con- 
verts believed  that  (Christ  had  abolished  the  institufion,  for  all 
Christians  kept  the  Lord's  day,  though  all  did  not  kee[)  both. 
Those  who  kept  the  Lord's  day,  or  most  of  them,  probably  sup- 


TWr:   DAY   HAS    HEF,N   CHANGED.  217 

posed,  as  a  matter  of  course,  tliat  when  the  wall  of  partition  he- 
Iwecn  the  Jews  and  Gentiles  was  broken  down,  all  were  to  re- 
vert to  the  original,  or  fn-st  day,  as  the  vSahhath;  and  that  the 
Jewish,  or  seventh-day  Sabbath,  ceased  without  any  direct  com- 
mand. It  had  been  f^hcn  for  a  particular  j)urposc,  which  was 
now  accomplished,  for  there  was  no  longer  any  necessity  that 
the  Jews  should  be  kept  a  distinct  people.  But  all  were  not  of 
this  opinion,  hence  the  necessity  of  this  canon,  that  Christians 
should  no  longer,  nru/  of  ////?m,  keep  the  seventh-day  Sabbath, 
but  still,  as  before,  prrfrr  the  T^ord's  day,  and  keep  only  //inL 

We  shall  add  a  further  (juotation  from  Pltnv,  who  lived  about 
A.  D.  107.  In  bis  celebrated  letter  to  Trajan,  he  says  of  Chris- 
tians, "  They  are  accustomed  to  meet  on  a  stated  day,  before 
light,  and  to  sing  among  themselves  hymns  to  Christ,  as  to  God." 
Indeed,  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  day  by  Christians,  was  so 
notorious  even  to  the  heathen  themselves,  that  the  question  was 
always  put  to  the  martyrs,  ^  Doininicuiu  srrvasli?^  'Do  you 
keep  the  Lord's  day  ?'  Their  answer  was  equally  well  known; 
they  all  aver  it;  'I  am  a  (Christian — I  cannot  omit  it.'  " 

THKoririLus,  Bishopof  Antioch,  A.D.  IGO,  says,  "  Both  custom 
and  reason  challenge  from  us  that  we  should  honor  the  Lord's 
day,  seeing  on  that  day  it  was  that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  com- 
pleted his  resurrection  from  the  dead."  See  Gurncy  on  the 
Sabbath,  pp.  76-84,  Am.  ed.  We  refer  the  reader  also  particu- 
larly to  his  history  of  the  manner  in  which  the  first  day  of  the 
week  was  kept,  from  the  morning  Christ  arose  unlil  after  the 
day  of  Pentecost. 

Tii/ENRUs,  a  disciple  of  Polycarp,  A.  D.  107,  who  had  been  a 
disciple  of  John  himself,  says,  "  On  the  Lord's  day,  every  one  of 
us  Chrirtians  keeps  the  Sabbath,  meditating  on  the  law,  and  re- 
joicing in  the  works  of  God."  Again,  "Each  of  us  spends  the 
Sabbath  in  a  spiritual  manner,  meditating  on  the  law  of  God 
with  delight,  and  contemplating  his  workmanship  with  admira- 
tion." 

DioNVSius,  Bishop  of  Corinth,  A.  I).  170,  and  contemporary 
with  Ira'neus,  in  his  second  letter  to  the  church  of  Rome,  says, 
"  To-day  we  celebrate  the  Lord's  day,  when  we  read  your  epis- 
tle to  us." 

19 


218  THE   SABBATH. 

Tertullian,  a.  D.  192,  asserts  the  Lord's  day  to  be  "  the  holy 
day  of  the  Christian  church  assemblies  and  holy  worship — and 
that  '  every  eighth  day  is  the  Christian's  festival,'  kept  as  a  day 
of  rejoicing." 

Origen,  a.  D.  230,  gives  similar  testimony  to  that  quoted  from 
Priestly  and  Calmet  respecting  Justin  Martyr. 

Cyprian,  Bishop  of  Carthage,  A.  D.  250,  takes  no  notice  of 
the  old  Sabbath,  but  repeatedly  alludes  to  the  Lord's  day,  as 
that  which  was  kept  holy  among  Christians. 

EusEBius,  A.  D.  311,  informs  us,  that  from  the  beginning,  the 
Christians  assembled  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  called  by 
them  the  Lord's  day,  for  the  purpose  of  religious  worship,  to 
read  the  Scriptures,  and  to  preach  and  to  celebrate  the  Lord's 
Supper. 

Professor  Stuart  says,  "  The  important  testimony  of  Eu- 
sebius,  (fl.  320,)  ui  the  time  of  Constantine,  has  been  unaccount- 
ably overlooked,  by  all  the  patristical  investigators  whom  I 
have  yet  been  able  to  consult.  It  is  contained  in  his  commen- 
tary on  the  Psalms,  which  is  printed  in  Montfaucon's  Collectio 
Nova  Patrum — and  some  of  it  is  exceedingly  to  our  purpose,  and 
withal  very  explicit. 

"  In  commenting  on  Ps.  xxi.  30  (xxii.  29  in  our  English  version), 
he  says :  '  On  each  day  of  our  Savior's  resurrection  [i.  e.  every 
first  day  of  the  week],  which  is  called  Lord^s  day,  we  may  see 
those  Avho  partake  of  the  consecrated  food,  and  that  body  [of 
Christ]  which  has  a  saving  efficacy,  after  the  eating  of  it,  bowing 
down  to  him.'    pp.  85,  86. 

"  Again,  on  Ps.  xlv.  6,  (xlvi.  5,)  he  says :  '  I  think  that  he  [the 
Psalmist]  describes  the  morning  assemblies,  in  ivhich  we  are  ac- 
customed to  convene  throughout  the  world  J'     p.  195. 

"  On  Psalm  Iviii.  17  (lix.  16)  he  says  :  'By  this  is  propheti- 
cally signified,  the  service  which  is  performed  very  early,  and 
every  morning  of  the  resurrection  day  \i.  e.  the  first  day  of  the 
week],  throughout  the  whole  world.'    p.  272. 

"  But  by  far  the  most  important  passage  of  all  remains  to  be 
adduced.  It  is  in  his  commentary  on  Ps.  xci.  (xcii.),  which  is 
entitled  'A  psalm  or  song  for  the  Sabbath  day.*  He  begins  his 
commentary  by  stating,  that  the  patriarchs  had  not  the  legal 


THE   DAT   HAS   BEEN   CHANGED.  ^19 

Jewish  Sabbath ;  but  still,  '  given  to  the  contemplation  of  divine 
things,  and  meditating  day  and  night  upon  the  divine  word,  they 
spent  holy  Sabbaths,  which  were  acceptable  to  God.'  Then, 
observing  that  the  Psalm  before  him  has  reference  to  a  Sabbath, 
he  refers  it  to  the  Lord's  day,  and  says  that '  it  exhorts  to  those 
things  which  are  to  be  done  on  resurrection-day.'  He  then 
states  the  precept  respecting  the  Sabbath,  as  addressed  origi- 
nally to  the  Jews,  and  that  they  often  violated  it.  After  which 
he  thus  proceeds  :  '  AVherefore,  as  they  rejected  it  [the  sabbati- 
cal command],  the  AVord  [C\iYisi\,hy  the  New  Covenant,  trans- 
lated AND  transferred  THE  FEAST  OF  THE  SaBBATH  tO  the  mom- 

ing  light,  and  gave  us  the  symbol  of  true  rest,  viz.  the  saving 
Lord's  day,  the  first  [day]  of  the  light,  in  which  the  Savior  of 
the  world,  after  all  his  labors  among  men,  obtained  the  victory 
over  death,  and  passed  the  portals  of  heaven,  having  achieved  a 
work  superior  to  the  six-days'  creation.'  .  .  .'  On  this  day,  which 
is  the  first  [day]  of  light  and  of  the  true  Sun  we  assemble,  after 
an  interval  of  six  days,  and  celebrate  holy  and  spiritual  Sab- 
baths, even  all  nations  redeemed  by  him  throughout  the  world,  AND 
DO  THOSE  THINGS  ACCORDING  TO  THE  SPIRITUAL  LAW,  which  Were  de- 
creed for  the  priests  to  do  on  the  Sabbath  ;  for  we  make  spiritual 
offerings  and  sacrifices  which  are  called  sacrifices  of  praise  and 
rejoicing  I  we  make  incense  of  a  good  odor  to  ascend,  as  it  is  said ; 
*Let  my  prayer  come  up  before  thee  as  incense.'  Yea,  we 
also  present  the  shew-bread,  reviving  the  remembrance  of  our 
salvation,  the  blood  of  sprinkling,  which  is  of  the  Lamb  of  God, 
who  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  which  purifies  our 
souls.  .  .  .  Moreover  we  are  diligent  to  do  zealously,  on  that  day, 
the  things  enjoined  in  this  Psalm;  by  word  and  work  making 
confession  to  the  Lord,  and  singing  in  the  name  of  the  Most 
High.  In  the  morning,  also,  with  the  first  rising  of  our  light, 
we  proclaim  the  mercy  of  God  toward  us;  also  his  truth  by 
night,  exhibiting  a  sober  and  chaste  de^neanor ;  and  all  things 

WHATSOEVER  THAT  IT  WAS  DUTY  TO  DO  ON  THE  SaBBATH  [Jewish 

seventh  day],  THESE  AVE  HAVE  TRANSFERRED  TO  THE 
LORD'S  DAY,  as  more  appropriately  belonging  to  it,  because  it 

HAS  A  PRECEDENCE,  «n^  IS  FIRST  IN  RANK,  AND  MORE  HONORABLE  THAN 

THE  Jewish  Sabbath.     For  on  that  day,  in  making  the  world,  God 


220  THE   SABBATH. 

said,  Let  there  be  light  and  there  was  light ;  and  on  the  same 
day,  the  Sun  of  righteousness  arose  upon  our  souls.  Where- 
fore IT  IS  DELIVERED  TO  US  [-rTapaSiSoTat,  it  is  handed  down  by  tra- 
dition], THAT  WE  SHOULD  MEET   TOGETHER  ON  THIS   DAY;   and  it   is 

ordered  that  we  should  do  those  things  announced  in  this 
Psalm.' 

"After  some  interval,  he  speaks  again  of  the  title  to  the 
Psalm,  and  says,  that  it  does  not  so  much  respect  the  Jewish 
Sabbath,  for  '  it  signifies  the  Lord's  day  and  the  resurrection, 
day,  as  we  have  proved  in  other  places.'  *  This  Scripture  teach- 
es, [that  we  are  to  spend  the  Lord's  day],  in  leisure  for  religious 

exercises  (-wy  deiwv  daKaicov),  and  IN   CESSATION    AND  VACATION  FROM 

ALL  BODILY  AND  MORTAL  WORKS,  ivhich  the  Scripture  calls  Sab' 
bath  and  rest,'' 

"  This  testimony  is  so  full,  so  ample,  so  express,  as  to  super- 
cede all  necessity  for  comment.  It  touches  both  public  worship 
and  private  demeanor.  It  expressly  delares  that  the  usages  of 
the  Jewish  Sabbath  (so  far  as  the  nature  of  the  case  will  permit) 
are  transferred  to  the  Christian  Sabbath;  that  Christ  himself 
made  this  transfer  ;  that  Christians  are  to  abstain  from  all  bodily 
labor  on  the  Lord's  day  ;  and  that  they  should  honor  it  above  all 
other  days,  by  spiritual  offerings  and  works  of  piety. 

"  Let  it  be  remembered,  now,  that  this  testimony  comes  from 
the  ancient  historian  of  the  Christian  church,  who  had  searched 
more  thoroughly  mto  its  usages  and  antiquities,  than  any  other 
man  in  the  early  ages.  It  comes,  moreover,  from  no  bigot.  Eu- 
sebius  was  himself  a  man  of  an  enlightened  and  vigorous  mind, 
and  very  little  influenced  by  superstition. 

"  When  all  these  things  are  put  together,  and  it  is  remember- 
ed that  he  repeatedly  asserts  the  keeping  of  the  Lord's  day 
throughout  the  Christian  world,  how  can  any  fair-minded  man 
well  doubt,  whether  the  Christians  of  old  kept  this  day  sacred, 
and  kept  it  so  as  not  only  to  vie  with,  but  to  outdo  the  Jev/s,  in 
all  the  spiritual  and  holy  duties  of  its  consecrated  hours  ? 

"  When  we  are  called  upon,  then,  to  give  reasons  why  we  keep 
x\ie  first  day  of  the  week  holy ;  our  answer  is,  that  we  follow  the 
example  of  the  apostles  and  early  Christians.  We  conform  to 
a  practice,  which  is  in  itself  reasonable,  inasmuch  as  Christ 


THE   DAY   HAS   BEEN  CHANGED.  221 

rose  upon  this  day ;  and  which  was  sanctioned,  so  far  as  we  can 
trace,  by  all  Christians  for  many  centuries.  And  if  we  are  fur- 
ther asked  how  we  can  build  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath  on  the 
H)urth  commandment,  and  yet  not  keep  the  seventh  day  of  the 
week,  which  that  enjoins  to  be  kept ;  my  answer  would  be,  that  we 
build  on  the  fourth  commandment  nothing  more,  than  what  may 
be  deduced  from  the  fact,  that  it  was  a  republication  of  the  ori- 
ginal law  respecting  the  Sabbath,  which  was  first  sanctioned  at 
the  beginning  of  the  world,  and  adapted  to  all  the  human  race. 
One  seventh  part  of  the  time,  is  the  essence  of  this  command. 
The  particular  day  may  depend  on  circumstances,  and  cannot 
be  essential.  It  is  important,  however,  that  Christians  should 
be  agreed  as  to  the  day ;  and  nothing  better  than  the  ancient 
usage  of  the  church  can  be  suggested  or  adopted. 

"  One  thing  appears  altogether  certain  to  my  mind,  viz.,  that 
where  there  is  no  Sabbath,  there  will  be  no  Christianity ;  and 
where  the  Sabbath  is  not  strictly  kept,  fervent  piety,  like  that  of 
the  primitive  age  of  the  church,  may  be  looked  for  in  vain." 

Athanasius,  a.  D.  326,  says,  "  The  Lord  transferred  the  Sab- 
bath to  the  Lord's  day.  The  emperor  Constantine,  as  soon  as  he 
embraced  the  Christian  faith,  made  a  law  to  exempt  the  Lord's 
day  from  being  judicial." 

Chrysostom,  in  the  fourth  century,  in  assigning  the  reasons  for 
taking  up  collections  in  Christian  assemblies,  says,  "Because 
they  did  abstain  from  all  works,  and  the  soul  was  more  cheerful 
for  the  rest  of  the  day." 

Augustine,  A.  D.  360,  tells  us,  that  "  The  Lord's  day  was,  by 
the  resurrection  of  Christ  declared  to  Christians,  and  from  that 
very  time  it  began  to  be  celebrated  as  the  Christian  festival." 

Ambrose,  A.  D.  380,  says,  "  The  Lord's  day  was  sacred,  or  con- 
secrated by  the  resurrection  of  Christ." 

EpiPHANros,  in  the  fourth  century,  in  his  sermon  upon  the  day 
of  Christ's  resurrection,  has  this  expression,  "  This  is  the  day 
which  God  blessed  and  sanctified,  because  in  it  he  ceased  from 
all  his  labors,  which  he  had  perfectly  accomplished,  the  salva- 
tion both  of  those  on  earth  and  those  under  the  earth." 

Pres.  Humphrey  says,  "  Of  Theodosius,  king  of  the  Bavarians,  it 
is  recorded,  that  he  would  not  permit  his  subjects  to  yoke  their 
19* 


222  THE   SABBATH. 

oxen,  or  make  hay,  or  carry  it  on  the  Lord's  day."    This  was  in 
the  early  part  of  the  fifth  century. 

Lord  Mansfield  says,  "  As  early  as  517,  a  canon  was  made 
to  prevent  judicial  business  bemg  done  on  the  Lord's  day,  or  first 
day  of  the  week ;  that  this  canon  was  made  a  part  of  the  impe- 
rial constitution  by  Theodosius ;  re-decreed,  or  adopted  by  the 
emperor  Carolus,  and  Ludovicus  ;  taken  into  the  book  of  the 
canon  law  by  Gratian,  and  afterwards  confirmed  by  William 
the  Conqueror  and  Henry  the  Second,  and  so  became  a  part  of 
the  common  law." 

As  emperors,  kings,  statesmen,  and  jurists  became  converted 
to  the  Christian  faith,  they  decreed  that  the  Lord's  day,  or  Chris- 
tian Sabbath,  should  be  kept,  instead  of  the  Jewish,  and  that  no 
judicial  business  should  be  done  on  that  day,  as  had  been  com- 
mon among  the  Jews  and  heathen.  The  Jews  kept  the  seventh 
day,  and  on  the  first  day  could  attend  courts ;  but  Christians 
would  not,  unless  compelled  to  do  it.  When  Christian  princi- 
ples prevailed,  edicts  as  above  were  passed,  all  assuming  the  ob- 
ligation to  observe  "  the  sacred  rest.^''  Men  who  fear  God  and 
trust  in  his  mercy,  are  not  ashamed  to  own  their  obligations  to 
give  to  him  one  day  in  seven.  All  nations  and  governments 
have  been  benefited,  when  they  have  incorporated  into  their  laws 
the  requisition  to  reverence  and  keep  holy  the  Sabbath.  In  Eng- 
land it  is  a  part  of  the  common  law.  The  Constitution  of  these 
United  States  recognizes  the  first  day  of  the  week  as  a  Sabbath  ; 
as  may  be  seen  in  Art.  L  Sect.  7. 

Nothing  is  clearer  to  our  mmd  than  that,  even  if  there  were 
no  statutes  against  Sabbath  profanation,  the  offence  would  be 
punishable  by  the  common  law.  For  it  can  be  clearly  shown, 
that  disregard  of  this  institution,  brings  upon  a  community  as 
many  evils  as  that  of  any  other  of  the  commands.  The  evil 
consequences  may  not  be  as  immediate,  but  are  no  less  certain. 
No  community  can  long  prosper,  without  the  sacred  influence  of 
that  day. 

In  Mosheim's  history,  as  translated  by  Maclain,  it  is  stated, 
that  in  the  first  century,  "  All  Christians  were  unanimous  in  set- 
ting apart  the  first  day  of  the  week,  on  which  the  triumphant 
Savior  arose  from  the  dead,  for  the  solemn  celebration  of  public 


THE  DAT  HAS  BEEN  CHANGED.  223 

worship.  This  pious  custom,  which  was  derived  from  the  ex- 
ample of  the  church  of  Jerusalem,  was  founded  upon  the  express 
appointment  of  the  Apostles,  who  consecrated  that  day  to  the 
same  sacred  purpose,  and  was  observed  universa  lly,  throughout 
all  the  Christian  churches,  as  appears  from  the  united  testimony 
of  the  most  credible  writers." 

Henry,  in  his  commentary,  says,  "  All  Christians  unanimously 
observed  the  Lord's  day."  It  is  said  that  there  was  little  dispute 
about  the  Christian  Sabbath  during  the  first  three  centuries.  The 
whole  churcli  observed  it. 

Many  of  the  authors  above  quoted  were  scattered  about  the 
countries  bordering  on  the  Mediterranean,  Lybia,  Egypt,  Pales- 
tine, Bithynia,  Gaul,  Rome,  Greece,  Syria,  and  other  places. 

"  The  Sabbath  has  been  changed,"  says  Brownlee,  "  from 
the  seventh  to  the  first  day  of  the  week  ;  or  rather,  as  we  should 
say,  it  has  probably  now  reverted  to  that  day  on  which  it  was 
observed  by  Adam  and  the  Patriarchs.  It  is  certain  that  the 
first  Sabbath  of  Adam,  though  the  seventh  day  of  time,  was  the 
first  entire  day  that  he  saw,  and  it  is  most  natural  to  suppose, 
and  there  is  nothing  repugnant  to  it  in  Scripture,  that  he  began 
the  computation  of  the  days  of  the  week  from  the  first  entire 
day  that  he  beheld.  '  Thus  it  may  be  fairly  said,  that  the  Sab- 
bath became  in  future  generations  the  first  day  of  the  week. 
This  argument  receives  additional  strength  from  the  following 
historical  facts.  When  the  descendants  of  Adam  apostatized 
from  the  worship  of  the  true  God,  they  substituted  in  his  place 
the  sun,  that  luminary,  which,  more  than  all  others,  strikes  the 
minds  of  savage  people  with  religious  awe ;  and  which  there- 
fore all  heathens  worship.  They  carried  with  them  indeed,  the 
day  on  which  their  fathers  worshiped ;  but  they  worshiped  the 
sun.  Hence  the  day  was  called  the  Sun's  day,  in  the  language 
of  the  respective  nations.  Hence,  as  the  learned  Selden  has 
shown,  Sunday,  the  day  observed  by  the  patriarchs  as  their  Sab- 
bath, was  the  first  day  of  the  week,  in  the  nations  of  the  East, 
and  is  so  stiU.  Thus  the  Sabbath  of  the  patriarchs  was  the  Sun- 
day of  the  pagans.  The  Jews  alone,  of  all  the  Eastern  nations, 
seem  to  have  had  the  day  changed.  As  God  altered  the  begin- 
ning of  their  year,  so  he  changed  the  day  of  their  worship  from 


224  THE   SABBATH. 

the  first  to  the  seventh  day,  to  comport  with  their  deliverance 
on  that  day  from  Egypt.  Hence  the  fourth  precept,  viewed  as  a 
moral  precept,  and  binding  on  the  church  in  all  ages,  is  enforced 
by  the  consideration  of  God's  resting  on  that  day,  and  sanctifying 
it.  But,  when  it  is  applied  to  the  particular  case  of  the  Jewish 
Church,  that  precept  is  enforced  by  another  consideration — 
'  the  Lord  brought  thee  from  Egypt,'  &c. 

"  When  therefore  Judaism  ceased,  the  seventh  day  Sabbath 
naturally  ceased  with  it.  And  hence  considering  the  divine 
command,  that  enjoined  on  Adam  and  his  posterity  the  keeping 
of  the  Sabbath  to  be  still  in  force,  (and  it  never  has  been  repeal- 
ed by  God) :  it  is  easy  to  see,  that  on  the  abolition  of  Judaism, 
the  Sabbath  reverted  from  the  seventh  to  the  first  day  of  the 
week  without  the  necessity  of  any  additional  command  on  the 
subject.  The  first  man  was  created  the  last  of  living  things, 
after  the  morning  of  the  sixth  day :  hence  the  Jewish  doctors  say, 
man  was  created  in  the  evening,  that  is,  the  beginning  of  the 
Sabbath." 

Whether  Dr,  Brownlee's  arguments  and  conclusions  relative 
to  the  reckoning  of  time  from  the  first  day  of  Adam's  existence? 
and  its  being  observed  as  a  Sabbath,  and  which  go  to  prove  that 
we  now  keep  the  same  day  that  was  originally  kept,  which  is 
most  probable,  be  correct  or  not,  it  should  be  distinctly  under- 
stood that  the  settlement  of  this  question,  in  no  way  affects  the 
origin,  perpetuity,  or  existence  of  the  institution.  We  all  agree 
on  these  points.  Whether  we  keep  the  very  day  kept  by  Adam 
and  the  Patriarchs,  we  do  not  conceive  essential,  if  one  seventh 
part  of  the  time  be  kept  holy;  and  if  all,  for  convenience  sake, 
keep  the  same  time,  so  far  as  may  be.  The  inhabitants  of  Chi- 
na cannot  keep  the  same  hours  we  do,  unless  they  observe  ano- 
ther day  as  the  Sabbath.  The  most  conclusive  proof  that  Dr. 
Brownlee  is  correct  is,  that  when  the  attention  of  the  Jews  was 
turned  anew  to  this  institution,  they,  to  distinguish  them  from 
other  nations,  and  keep  them  a  distinct  people,  were  directed  to 
keep  another  day  than  that  which  had  been  previously  observed. 
Hence  when  the  Jewish  dispensation  was  abolished  at  the  death 
of  Christ,  it  was  perfectly  natural  that  the  Jews  should  revert 
back  to  the  observance  of  the  original  day,  and  that  any  new 


DETJT.  V.  KOT  OPPOSED  TO  EX.  XX.  225 

law,  touching  either  the  first  or  the  seventh  day  Sabbath,  should 
be  wholly  unnecessary ;  inasmuch  as  the  original  law  of  the 
Sabbath  had  never  been  repealed. 

After  the  explicit,  decisive,  and  concurrent  testimony  of  the 
foregoing  extracts,  touching  the  practice  of  primitive  Christians, 
can  it  be  reasonably  doubted  whether  the  Christian  Sabbath 
was  observed,  by  the  Apostolic  Fathers  and  their  followers,  who 
during  the  first  three  centuries,  almost  uniformly  kept  the  first 
day  of  the  week  as  the  Sabbath,  instead  of  the  seventh  day, 
though  some  kept  both  ?  Are  not  the  objectors'  assertions,  ex- 
tracts, and  arguments  annihilated  by  the  weight  of  evidence 
which  has  been  adduced  ? 

It  is  not  a  new  thing  to  find  men  publishing  assertions  with- 
out proof.  Those  who  write  to  destroy  the  Sabbath,  rather 
than  not  efi'ect  their  object,  assert  many  things  which  need  proof 
to  gain  credence  among  intelligent  readers.  Such  we  consider 
the  assertions,  that  "  There  is  no  authority  for  the  Sabbath,"—- 
"  This  authority  binds  only  the  Jews," — "  The  law  is  abrogated," 
— "  The  early  Christians  did  not  understand  that  they  should 
keep  it,"—-'  They  did  not  keep  it ;"  and  "  The  New  Testament 
nowhere,  either  directly  or  by  inference,  teaches  men  to  observe 
a  Sabbath,"  &c.  &c. 

But,  it  is  presumed,  no  one  who  lays  any  claim  to  intelligence 
and  candor,  will  again,  after  duly  considering  this  subject,  assert 
that  we  have  no  testimony  for  the  Sabbath.  All  such  declara- 
tions have  no  foundation  in  truth.  No  one  should  be  misled  by 
them. 

We  have  brought  forward  but  few  of  the  Scriptural  argu- 
ments, in  support  of  the  positions  taken,  for  they  are  mainly 
before  the  public,  and  in  as  favorable  light,  as  can  be  desired ; 
and  they  should  be  familiar  to  the  minds  of  all  who  would  bene- 
fit man  or  glorify  God. 

Objection  VI. — "  Deut.  V.  opposed  to  Ex.  XX." — "  The  com- 
mand respecting  the  Sabbath  in  Ex.  xx. ,  is  opposed  to  that  in 
Deut.  v.,  and  the  latter,  if  any,  should  be  observed." 

It  is  said  that  we  ought  to  take  the  commandments  as  recorded 
in  Deut.  v.  for  the  moral  law,  instead  of  those  in  Ex.  xx.,  because 


226  THE   SABBATH. 

Moses  says,  "  These  words  the  Lord  spake  unto  all  your  assem- 
blies; and  he  added  no  more."  Thus  they  endeavor  to  avoid 
the  difficulty  of  explaining  away  the  reason  given  in  the  fourth 
commandment,  as  contained  in  £x.  xx.,  why  the  Sabbath  should 
be  kept.     But  let  us  see  how  it  is. 

From  Ex.  xix.  it  appears  that  the  people  were  commanded  to 
prepare  themselves  to  hear  what  the  Lord  was  about  to  say  to 
them,  that  they  might  believe  Moses  for  ever.  The  children  of 
Israel  not  only  heard  the  thunderings  but  saw  the  lightnings, 
the  thick  cloud  and  the  smoke ;  and  heard  the  voice  which 
caused  them  to  tremble.  The  Lord  talked  with  them  face  to 
face  in  the  mount ;  and  the  people  were  greatly  afraid.  They 
heard  the  commands,  and  then  said  to  Moses,  "  Speak  thou 
with  us,"  &c.  Accordingly  he  did,  and  declared  to  them  the 
ceremonial  laws.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  law  was 
given,  and  written  on  tables  of  stone,  and  carried  down  the 
mountain,  to  be  delivered  to  Israel.  But  the  two  tables  con- 
taining them  were  broken. 

Now  what  was  done  ?  In  Ex.  xxxiv.,  we  learn  that  the  Lord 
said  to  Moses,  "  Hew  thee  two  tables  of  stone  like  unto  the  first ; 
and  I  will  write  upon  these  tables  the  words  that  were  in  the 
first  tables,  which  thou  brakest."  Here  we  have  the  promise  of 
God,  that  he  would  write,  not  only  the  substance  of  the  com- 
mands, but  the  words,  that  were  written  on  the  first  tables. 
This  promise  he  must  have  broken,  if  there  was  the  least  va- 
riation in  them. 

When  the  commands  were  written  the  second  time,  no  such 
display  was  made,  as  in  the  first  instance.  Moses  went  up  to 
the  mount  without  ceremony.  The  people  were  not  summoned 
to  attend.  While  Moses  was  on  the  mount,  the  Lord  talked 
with  him  about  the  ceremonial  law,  what  he  would  do  for  his 
people,  &c. ;  and  it  would  seem  that  as  soon  as  Moses  had 
reached  the  place  where  God  communed  with  him,  that  the 
Lord  took  charge  of  the  tables ;  and  after  forty  days,  when  he 
had  made  an  end  of  talking  with  Moses,  God  gave  him  the  two 
tables,  on  which  he  had  wnritten  the  ten  commandments,  as  he 
had  promised,  Ex.  xxxiv.  In  all  probability,  these  moral  pre- 
cepts were  not  again  recapitulated  in  the  mount. 


DEUT.  V.  NOT  OPPOSED  TO  EX.  XX.  227 

But  in  Deut.  v.,  it  appears  that  Moses,  now  the  preacher  and 
not  the  lawgiver,  called  the  people  together,  and  said,  "  Hear, 
0  Israel,  the  statutes  and  judgments  which  I  speak  in  your  ears," 
not  which  the  Lord  speaks  or  spake,  but  which  /  speak.  "  The 
Lord  made  a  covenant,"  not  makes  a  covenant,  but  made,/or^3/ 
years  ago,  at  a  great  distance,  in  Horeb.  "  The  Lord  talked,'''' 
not  talks  ;  "  I  stood  between  the  Lord  and  you  at  that  time," 
not  stand ;  that,  not  this  time  ;  "for  ye  were,''''  not  are,  "  afraid." 
Now  under  these  circumstances,  and  just  before  his  death,  he 
recapitulates,  nearly  verbatim,  the  ten  commandments  as  written 
on  the  tables,  which  were  then  and  had  long  been  in  the  ark. 
Here,  in  this  recapitulation,  Moses  mentions  an  additional  rea- 
son, "  and  remember  that  thou  wast  a  servant  in  the  land  of 
Egypt,"  &c.,  which  the  Lord  had  previously  given,  why  Israel 
should  keep  the  Sabbath.  This  reason  was  applicable  to  the 
Jews  only,  hence  this  only  was  mentioned  ;  while  the  first  rea- 
son, viz.  "  for  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth, 
the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  wherefore"  &c.,  was  left  out ; 
that  being  applicable  to  the  whole  world.  As  the  law,  the  ten 
commandments,  as  God  wrote  them,  was  given  for  all  men,  in 
every  age,  the  reason  was  given,  as  in  Ex.  xx.  That  reason 
was  applicable  to  Jew  and  Gentile,  while  the  last  reason  was 
applicable  to  the  Jew  only,  and  must  have  been  spoken  at  ano- 
ther time,  as  was  this  also,  "that  thy  man-servant  and  thy 
maid-servant  may  rest  as  well  as  thou." 

"  These  word,"  [or  similar,]  "  the  Lord  spake  unto  all  your 
assemblies  in  the  mount,"  &;c.  Now  if  it  be  not  true,  that 
Moses  did  not  intend  to  repeat  the  law  verbatim,  but  merely  to 
give  the  substance  of  it ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  the  words 
ndw  repeated,  were  actually  engraven  on  the  two  tables,  instead 
of  those  recorded  in  Ex.  xx.,  then  it  is  evident  that  the  two 
statements  contradict  each  other.  For  though  the  law,  as  given 
in  Ex.  XX.,  did  not  contain  the  additional  reason  to  which  we 
have  alluded,  viz.  "  that  thy  man-servant  and  thy  maid-ser- 
vant may  rest  as  well  as  thou,"  Moses  here  in  Deut.  v.  25,  says, 
"  the  Lord  spake  these  ifor(/5  unto  them  in  the  mount."  We 
know  he  spoke  the  words  written  on  the  first  tables  to  them  in 
the  mount,  but  he  did  not  speak  these,  for  Moses  expressly  tells 


228  THE  SABBATH. 

US,  in  the  commencement  of  this  sermon,  that  he  spake  them  in 
their  ears,  and  they  did  not  go  up  the  second  time  into  the 
mount.  The  remainder  of  this  chapter,  and  the  one  preceding, 
show  conclusively,  that  this  whole  transaction  was  merely  a  re- 
capitulation of  what  had  long  before  transpired,  and  was  not 
understood  to  be  the  original  transaction. 

But  it  is  objected  that  Moses  said,  "  and  he  [the  Lord]  added 
no  more,"  and  therefore  the  reason,  "  for  in  six  days  the  Lord 
made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  and 
rested  the  seventh  day ;  wherefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath 
day  and  hallowed  it,"  does  not  now  belong  to  the  command- 
ments. But  let  the  objector  know  that  in  Deut.  v.  12,  Moses 
says,  "  keep  the  Sabbath  day  to  sanctify  it,  as  the  Lord  thy  God 
hath  commanded  thee ;"  hath  commanded  thee,  not  doth  com- 
mand thee. 

Here  is  all  the  evidence  that  is  needed,  to  settle  the  whole 
question.  It  is  manifest  therefore  that  the  Lord  did  add  more^ 
as  above  written,  and  that  all  Moses  meant  in  the  expression 
was,  "  the  ten  commandments,  the  sum  and  substance  of  which 
I  now  have  given  you,  is  all  that  the  Lord  added  in  your  hearing, 
because  you  became  afraid  of  his  terrible  majesty,  and  besought 
me  to  pray  the  Lord  not  to  speak  any  more  in  your  hearing, 
but  to  speak  to  me,  and  you  would  obey.  He  the7i  called  me 
up  into  the  mount,  where  he  spoke  many  other  things,  among 
which  was  the  ceremonial  law,  which  I  afterward  made  known 
to  you."    Deut.  iv.  may  be  read  in  further  proof  of  this  opinion. 

We  hope  no  one  will  again  say,  that  the  commandments,  re- 
capitulated by  Moses  in  Deut.  v.,  are  the  identical  ones,  verba- 
tim, written  on  the  second  two  tables  of  stone,  and  that  those 
recorded  in  Exodus,  do  not  concern  us,  and  are  not  the  com- 
mands which  were  on  the  second  tables. 

It  is  hoped  that  every  candid  inquirer  after  truth,  who  has 
followed  us  thus  far,  is  fully  satisfied  that  the  positions  we  have 
attempted  to  establish,  are  sustained ;  for  it  is  for  the  benefit  of 
such  that  we  are  writing. 


THE  CHRISTIAN  RELIGION  ADOPTED.  229 

Objection   VII.  — "  This  nation  acknowledges  no  religion, 
'  therefore  is  no  more  Christian^  than  Jewish^  Mohammedan,  or 
infideV 

Ever  since  efforts  were  made  in  this  country,  to  procure  the 
repeal  of  the  law  authorizing  and  directing  Sabbath  mails,  the 
opposers  of  that  rest  have  been  loud  in  their  assertions,  that  this 
nation  is  no  more  Christian  than  Jewish,  Mohammedan,  or  infi- 
del, &c.  From  this  sentiment,  we  beg  leave  to  dissent.  It  is 
neither  just  nor  safe. 

But,  has  this  nation  no  religion  ?  All  civil  governments,  of 
any  value  to  the  people  over  whom  they  were  exercised,  have 
been  founded  on  some  religion;  and  every  government  has  been 
wise  and  salutary  in  proportion  to  the  wisdom,  the  truth,  and 
the  benign  influence  of  the  religion  upon  which  it  was  founded. 

France,  in  modern  days,  attempted  to  re-model  her  govern- 
ment. She  took  it  from  the  foundation  of  Christianity,  but 
placed  it  upon  the  sand ;  on  no  religious  system  whatever.  This 
was  effected  by  infidels  and  atheists — enemies  of  the  Sabbath, 
and  of  the  Christian  religion ;  like  our  opponents.  History  is 
full  and  ample  in  the  records  of  her  fall.  The  bloody  waves  of 
anarchy,  dashing  from  boundary  to  boundary,  soon  washed  away 
this  foundation  ;  but  not  until  many  thousands  of  her  best  citi- 
zens had  been  overwhelmed  in  the  awful  flood. 

To  be  ruled  by  wicked  men,  in  a  republican  government,  is 
unspeakably  more  to  be  dreaded,  than  to  be  under  their  control 
in  monarchical  governments, — just  as  a  hundred  devils,  each 
having  conflicting  interests,  and  let  loose  upon  a  community, 
would  be  worse  than  one. 

The  government  of  these  United  States  was  founded  on  reli- 
gion, and  that  religion  is  neither  the  Jewish,  the  Mohammedan, 
the  pagan,  the  deist's,  the  infidel's,  nor  the  atheist's ;  but  it  is 
the  Christian  religion.  The  proof  will  be  given  hereafter.  The 
genius  of  the  government  which  we  wished  to  form,  required 
just  such  a  religion  as  the  Christian  religion;  and  no  other 
could  aid,  either  in  the  formation  or  maintenance  of  it.  When 
formed,  its  success  was  to  depend  wholly  upon  the  existence  and 
predominance  of  its  pure,  holy,  ennobling,  and  felicitating  in- 
20 


230  THE  SABBATH. 

fluences.  In  proportion  as  this  influence  should  be  counteracted, 
would  the  foundation  of  this  government  be  undermined.  Hence 
the  necessity  of  doing  nothing,  nationally,  contrary  to  this  reli- 
gion ;  but  everything  which  would  be  calculated  to  insure  the 
perpetuity  of  this  holy  alliance.  Because,  were  we  to  abolish 
this  religion,  or  suffer  its  influence  to  be  weakened,  it  would  de- 
stroy the  government  which  was  founded  upon  it,  and  untie 
every  ligament  which  holds  the  community  together.  The 
government  which  the  United  States  desired  to  construct  was, 
in  many  of  its  features,  new.  Those  who  met  to  settle  its  prin- 
ciples, and  organize  it,  it  seems,  from  the  history  of  the  trans- 
action, were  men  who  felt  their  responsibilities,  and  their  need 
of  divme  guidance.  They  felt  the  need  of  wisdom  from  the 
Christian's  God ;  and  were  not  ashamed  to  acknowledge  this, 
and  ask  for  it.  The  Christian  religion,  therefore,  was  the  very 
thing  they  wanted.  They  were  not  afraid  of  it.  It  was  their 
best  friend,  yea,  the  only  friend  on  which  they  could  safely  rely. 

At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  this  government,  there 
were  probably  a  few  Jews  in  this  nation.  Whether  there  were 
any  Mohammedans  or  pagans  within  the  limits  which  composed 
the  Union,  is  not  material  to  our  argument.  There  were  a  few 
infidels  and  deists.  Suppose,  in  this  crisis,  a  Jew  had  arisen  in 
the  Convention,  and  objected  to  the  first  article  in  the  seventh 
section  of  the  Constitution,  because  it  recognized  the  Christian, 
instead  of  the  Jewish  Sabbath ;  and  also,  dated  from  the  "  year 
of  out  Lord.''''  What  would  have  been  the  answer?  Surely, 
with  the  greatest  unanimity,  the  response  would  have  been : 
"  We  have  chosen  to  pattern  after  the  Christian,  instead  of  the 
Jewish  religion." 

Suppose,  again,  a  Mohammedan  or  Pagan  had  arisen,  and 
objected  to  prayers  being  off'ered  to  Almighty  God  ;  to  publish- 
ing and  distributing  the  Bible,  and  to  the  requisition  of  oaths  in 
courts  of  justice :  what  answer  would  have  been  given  ?  With 
equal  unanimity  would  the  response  have  been,  "  With  your 
religion  for  our  model,  we  could  never  form  such  a  government 
as  is  contemplated,  much  less  could  we  sustain  it.  We  must 
have  the  benign  aid  of  the  Christian  religion,  or  we  can  never 
have  a  republican  government."    Suppose,  again,  an  infidel,  a 


THE   CHRISTIAN  RELIGION   ADOPTED.  231 

deist,  or  an  atheist  of  the  modem  school,  had  arisen,  and  objected 
to  all  allusion  to  the  Bible,  or  the  Christian  institutions,  and  even 
to  the  acknowledgment  of  a  Supreme  Being,  asserting  that  this 
nation  should  recognize  7io  religion ;  what  would  have  been  the 
answer  in  this  case  ?  Doubtless,  it  would  have  been — Sirs,  you 
must  be  the  enemies  of  the  government  we  would  establish.  To 
form  it  without  a  Protector  and  Supporter,  and  to  leave  it  to  the 
uncertain  freaks  of  popular  caprice,  would  be  bringing  it  into 
existence  without  a  possibility  that  that  existence  could  be  either 
beneficial  or  prolonged.  The  government  could  not  have  heen 
formed  on  their  plan.  That  Convention,  if  they  had  complied 
with  the  wishes  of  these  men,  could  never  have  framed  such  a 
government  as  the  people  wanted. 

But  a  Sabbatarian  rises  and  says — I  believe  in  the  Christian 
religion,  and  go  all  lengths  with  you  in  the  thing  you  want,  and 
in  the  methods  of  obtaining  it,  except  one.  I  want  the  first  arti- 
cle in  the  seventh  section  of  the  Constitution  so  altered,  that  it 
will  recognize  the  seventh,  instead  of  the  first-day  Sabbath. 
What  would  have  been  the  reply  in  this  case  ?  Doubtless  it 
would  have  been — We  do  not  sit  here  to  settle  controversies  be- 
tween the  different  sects  of  the  Christian  religion.  If  we  should 
comply  with  your  wishes,  the  people  would  not.  They  call  for 
the  first-day  Sabbath,  and  they  must  have  it.  It  may  be  your 
misfortune  to  be  in  the  minority  in  this  particular.  If  it  be  m- 
ioZeraJ/e,  you  must  go  where  the  objection  does  not  exist;  or 
stay  among  us,  submitting  to  the  will  of  the  people. 

But  the  government  is  formed,  and  these  classes  have  accu- 
mulated upon  our  hands.  Now,  says  the  objector,  shall  we 
make  laws  forbidding  the  Jew,  the  Mohammedan,  the  infidel, 
the  deist,  the  atheist,  to  express  their  sentiments,  and  to  state 
their  reasons  for  these  sentiments  ?  Surely  not,  any  more  than, 
we  did  at  first. 

But  the  laws  already  adopted  by  the  different  States,  and  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  interfere  more  or  less  with  the 
practice  of  all  these  religions.  A  man  may  not  sacrifice  himself 
to  an  imaginary  deity.  He  may  not  take  the  name  of  God  in 
vain.  He  may  not  commit  infanticide.  He  may  not  break  the 
Sabbath.    He  may  not  take  away  the  life  of  an  aged  parent, 


232  THE  SABEATH. 

because  he  is  aged.  He  may  not  suffer  self-immolation.  H  e 
may  not  have  many  wives.  He  may  not  worship  many  gods. 
He  may  not  commit  any  of  the  unrighteous  acts  of  Mohamme- 
dans. He  may  not  ridicule  and  despise  the  Christian's  Bible  and 
the  Christian's  God — because  the  doing  of  any  of  these  things, 
and  of  many  others  allowed  by  Jews,  Mohammedans,  pagans, 
infidels,  deists,  and  atheists,  or  permitting  them  to  be  done,  will 
greatly  weaken  the  influence  which  the  Christian  religion  has 
over  the  community,  and  necessarily  weaken  the  pillars  of  our 
government.  We  are  to-day  as  much  bound  to  guard  this  gov- 
ernment against  any  such  encroachments,  as  our  fathers  were  to 
guard  against  the  admittance  of  any  thing  into  the  Constitution 
which  would  endanger  our  safety,  or  destroy  our  existence. 
Those  who  object  to  a  Sabbath  and  the  Christian  religion,  are 
continually  making  new  and  vigorous  attempts  to  get  these 
"  objectionable  things"  out  of  our  Constitution  and  State  laws. 
They  would  alter  the  structure  of  our  government.  Not  daring 
to  attempt  to  strike  out  the  Christian  Sabbath  at  a  blow,  they 
have  enacted  a  law  compelling  certain  of  our  citizens,  uniformly 
to  desecrate  its  sacred  hours.  This  they  knew  would  ultimate- 
ly, if  continued,  lead  to  its  total  abandonment.  Perhaps  the 
next  attempt  will  be  to  do  away  oaths  in  courts  of  justice,  &c. 
As  one  error  leads  to  another,  our  course  now  is  downward. 

"  No  nation,  either  ancient  or  modem,  (with  the  monitory  ex- 
ception of  revolutionary  France,)  ever  attempted  to  organize  a 
government  without  recognizing  some  religion ;  and  no  govern- 
ment ever  existed  in  a  civilized  nation  which  did  not  acknow- 
ledge itself  bound  by  the  religion  of  the  nation  over  which  it 
presided.  In  accordance  with  this  principle,  every  Christian 
nation  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic  considers  Christianity  as 
the  very  foundation  of  its  political  institutions. 

"  Great  Britain,  the  nation  from  which  we  are  descended,  has 
engrafted  her  constitution  and  laAvs  upon  it ;  and  acknowledged 
its  authority  paramount  to  all  human  enactments.  In  the  case 
of  the  King  vs.  Walston,  (Strange  834,)  the  Court  of  King's 
Bench  would  not  suffer  it  to  be  debated  whether  defaming  Chris- 
tianity was  not  an  offence  punishable  at  common  law  :  alleging 
that  whatever  struck  at  the  root  of  the  Christian  religion,  tended 


THE    CHRISTIAN   RELIGION   ADOPTED.  233 

to  dissolve  civil  government.  The  Court  of  King's  Bench  said 
that  Christianity  was  a  part  of  the  law  of  the  land.  The  same 
doctrme  was  recognized  by  Lord  Kenyon,  in  July,  1797,  in  the 
case  of  the  King  vs.  Williams,  for  the  publication  of  '  Paine's 
Age  of  Reason.''  " 

But  "  our  government,"  we  are  told,  "  is  free  from  religious 
tests  and  religious  establishments — and  is  not  bound  by  one  re- 
ligion more  than  another."  "  It  is  truly  the  happiness  and  glory 
of  our  country  that  it  has  cast  off  the  intolerance  of  a  bigoted, 
narrow-minded  priesthood,  as  well  as  the  imperious  claims  of  a 
regal  master.  But  it  by  no  means  follows  that  it  has  so  entirely 
repudiated  Christianity,  that  the  authority  of  Jehovah  must  not 
be  acknowledged."  We  know  infidels  and  deists  claim  this ; 
and  it  seems  that  they  would  pull  this  nation  down  from  that 
high  eminence  upon  which  Christianity  has  placed  her,  rather 
than  have  it  appear  that  Christianity  has  had  anything  to  do 
with  her  elevation.  Therefore  they  ridicule  the  Christian's  God 
and  his  ordinances,  and  cry,  "  Priestcraft  and  persecution,"  in 
order  to  induce  weaker  minds  to  reject  the  Christian  religion. 
Thus,  by  degrees,  they  endeavor  to  accomplish  the  thing  at 
which  they  have  long  been  aiming.  But  they  never  will  destroy 
the  Christian  religion.  They  may  be  the  means  of  breaking  us 
in  pieces.  They  have  already  taught  the  people  to  contemn  God, 
and  disregard  his  claims — and  the  wicked  bear  rule.  A  day  of 
darkness  and  dread  is  at  hand.  The  nation  which  hates  God, 
God  will  destroy  and  cast  off.  A  nation  of  infidels  and  deists 
hates  God,  and  we  are  rapidly  becoming  such  a  nation. 

In  the  proceedings  of  that  body  which  framed  our  Constitu- 
tion, and  in  the  several  documents  relating  to  our  national  organ- 
ization, as  well  as  the  practice  of  many  of  our  first  Congresses, 
it  will  appear  that  this  nation,  at  that  time,  recognized  the  God 
of  the  Bible  as  the  true  God,  and  as  their  and  our  God — the 
Christian  religion  as  their  and  our  religion ;  and  the  Christian 
Sabbath  as  their  and  our  Sabbath. 

There  was  to  be  sure  no  "  imion  of  Church  and  State,"  as  there 

is  in  some  parts  of  Europe.     Let  God  be  praised  that  there  was 

not.     If  Jews,  Mohammedans,  pagans,  infidels,  and  deists,  chose 

to  come  among  us  and  enjoy  the  blessings  consequent  on  an  ob- 

20* 


234  THE   SABBATH. 

servance  of  the  Cliristian  religion,  rather  than  to  stay  among 
their  own  class,  and  share  the  unutterable  calamities  and  degra- 
dation which  are  universal  and  indispensable  accompaniments 
of  their  religion,  let  them  come.  So  long  as  their  actions  and 
words  did  not  militate  against  the  Christian  religion,  and  there- 
by endanger  our  political  institutions,  their  persons  and  property 
would  be  protected.  And  by  conforming  to  our  wholesome  laws, 
they  might  become  as  one  of  us. 

The  laws  and  the  Constitution  of  this  country  never  contem- 
plated that  a  Mohammed,  a  Voltaire,  or  a  Nero,  might  come 
among  us  and  insist  on  his  right  to  a  change  in  our  laws,  to  meet 
his  case,  nor  that  we  are  bound  to  conform  to  them  in  opinion 
and  practice,  and  thereby  introduce  a  poison  into  our  bosoms, 
which  would  inevitably  produce  national  as  well  as  moral  death. 
Now  we  say  that  those  infidels,  or  others  of  like  sentiment, 
who  caused  human  blood  in  torrents  to  flow  through  the  streets 
of  France,  have  no  right  to  come  among  us  and  do  the  deeds 
which  infidels  perpetrated  there  ;  because  such  acts  would  una- 
voidably produce  the  same  results  in  this  hitherto  happy  nation. 
Such  sentiments  and  conduct  would  destroy  us.  It  is  time  this 
people  knew,  that  as  certainly  as  we  give  the  infidel  and  the 
deist  the  things  for  which  they  have  long  been  contending,  and 
which  they  loudly  claim  as  their  right,  we  shall  soon  become 
an  infidel  nation — worship  the  infidel's  god,  and  share  the  infi- 
del's "^/or?/." 

They  now  boldly  say,  "  we  have  a  right  to  profane  your  Sab- 
baths, because  we  do  not  believe  in  a  Sabbath — and  the  atheist 
has  a  right  to  testify  in  your  courts  of  justice,  without  swearing 
by  your  God,  because  he  does  not  believe  in  any  God — the  laws 
of  your  country  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding."  We  deny  the 
position  taken  by  these  men.  They  have  no  right  so  to  act. 
God  never  gave  them  that  right ;  nor  should  they  have  it,  be- 
cause, by  the  observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  and  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  our  prosperity  and  our  government  are  to  be  per- 
petuated, and  they  cannot  be  by  any  other  means.  Their  con- 
duct, in  corrupting  the  nation  and  bringing  the  God  of  the  Bible 
into  contempt,  is  against  all  divine,  and  should  be  against  all 
human  law.     The  framers  of  our  Constitution  and  of  our  laws 


THE   CHRISTIAN   RELIGION   ADOPTED.  235 

would  never  have  allowed  such  conduct.  Then  away  with  the 
notion  that  Jews,  Mohammedans,  pagans,  infidels,  deists,  and 
atheists  have  a  right  to  come  among  us  and  do  the  things 
(though  agreeable  to  their  religion,)  which  will  assuredly,  if 
allowed,  overthrow  this  government!  Those  who  hold  such 
notions  are  not  only  enemies  to  the  Christian  religion,  but  to 
every  civil  government  under  heaven.  They  are  the  enemies  of 
the  human  race ;  and  it  is  much  to  be  feared,  that  they  are 
nearly  prepared  to  act  over  in  this  country  the  scenes  so  shock- 
ing to  humanity,  which  transpired  in  France  not  many  years 
since. 

Th€se  men  have  already  made  such  advances,  that  they  often 
declare  there  ought  to  be  no  law  regulating  moral  conduct.  "  If 
a  man's  religion,"  say  they,  "  would  allow  of  polygamy,  or  pro- 
miscuous sexual  intercourse,  there  should  be  no  law  forbidding 
it,  at  any  time,  or  under  any  circumstances.  Or,  if  a  man 
chooses  to  throw  his  children  into  the  Ganges — bury  his  parents 
alive — see  wives  burn  on  the  funeral  pile — worship  devils,  or 
330,000,000  of  gods,  he  should  enjoy  the  privilege."  But  we 
deny  the  claim  which  is  here  made.  For  by  such  a  course  they 
not  only  destroy  themselves,  but  multitudes  of  others. 

"  And  as  certainly  as  a  nation  turns  aside  from  the  path,  and 
causes  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  to  cease  from  before  them ;  and 
as  certainly  as  atheism,  licentious  morals,  and  the  contempt  of 
the  Sabbath  and  of  the  gospel  pervade  the  land,  so  certainly  will 
the  same  sanguinary  scenes  be  acted  over  again,  which  have 
desolated  other  nations  that  would  not  obey  God."  There  is  but 
one  alternative  before  us :  we  must  either  give  up  our  infidelity 
and  deism,  and  acknowledge  the  Christian's  God  as  the  God  of 
this  nation,  and  give  him  that  place  which  he  claims,  or  he  will 
dash  us  in  pieces,  "  like  a  potter's  vessel." 

RELIGION   RECOGNIZED   BY   THE    CONSTITUTION. 

Was  the  Christian  religion  common  in  this  country  in  the  days 
when  our  government  was  formed  ?  Let  Dr.  Franklin  answer 
the  inquiry,  as  he  did  in  1751,  when  he  was  holding  the  office 
of  Deputy  Postmaster-General,  and  wrote  for  the  information  of 
those  across  the  Atlantic,  who  had  asked  for  it    He  says : 


236  THE   SABBATH. 

"  Serious  religion,  under  its  various  denominations,  is  not  only 
tolerated,  but  respected  and  practiced.  Atheism  is  unknown — 
infidelity  rare  and  secret ;  so  that  persons  may  live  to  a  great 
age,  in  this  country,  w^ithout  having  their  piety  shocked  by  meet- 
ing with  either  an  atheist  or  an  infidel." 

No  one,  it  is  presumed,  will  pretend  to  question  the  compe- 
tency or  the  correctness  of  this  witness.  He  must  have  known 
the  extent  of  infidelity,  certainly,  if  one  himself,  (as  our  objector 
claims,)  and  he  doubtless  spoke  the  truth. 

In  1787,  the  National  Convention  "  reported  a  Constitution 
for  a  general  Government.  This  Constitution  made  a  regard 
for  the  existence  and  attributes  of  God  indispensable  in  every 
individual  whom  it  entrusted  with  an  office  :  for  it  bound  them 
by  the  sanctity  of  an  oath,  or  solemn  affirmation,  and  assumed 
as  its  national  designation  of  time,  the  era  of  a  Being  whom  it 
was  pleased  to  honor  as  '  Our  Lord ;'  and  moreover  provided  a 
Sabbath  for  the  conscience  of  the  President."  The  Constitution 
then  recognized  one  Supreme  Being,  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  Chris- 
tian Sabbath.  What  will  the  infidel,  deist,  atheist,  Jew,  Mo- 
hammedan, or  pagan  say  to  this  ?  "  Ah  !  that  Constitution  will 
never  do — it  does  not  sufficiently  recognize  my  religious  rights. 
Though  it  acknowledges  a  religion,  it  does  not  acknowledge  our 
religion,  but  one  which  wc  hate  with  perfect  hatred.  It  will 
not  do.^^  But  the  Constitution,  the  remonstrances  of  these  men 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding,  was  adopted. 

Let  us  see  further  what  religion  this  nation  adopted  and  cher- 
ished when  in  her  uifancy. 

"  The  Christian  religion  is  founded  on,  and  cherished  by,  the 
sacred  volume,  called  the  Old  and  New  Testaments.  Oaths, 
too,  were  then  necessary,  and  the  religious  faith  of  the  nation 
is  their  only  bond.  Bibles  were  wanted — the  commerce  with 
Great  Britain  '  was  cut  oflf— and  they  must  be  procured  from 
some  other  source.  Accordingly  a  committee  of  Congress  was 
appointed,  in  1777,  to  confer  with  the  printers,  with  the  view  of 
striking  off  an  edition  of  30,000,  at  the  expense  of  Congress. 
The  committee  fuiding  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  types  and  pa- 
per so  great,  recommended  Congress  (the  use  of  the  Bible  being 
so  universal,  and  its  importance  so  great)  to  direct  the  commit- 


THE  CHRISTIAN  RELIGION  ADOPTED.  237 

tee  of  commerce  to  import,  at  the  expense  of  Congress  20,000 
English  Bibles,  from  Holland,  Scotland,  or  elsewhere,  mto  the 
different  States  of  the  Union ;'  and  the  Congress  ordered  the  im- 
portation. In  1780,  when  it  was  found,  from  the  circumstances 
of  the  wars,  an  English  Bible  could  not  be  imported,  and  no 
opinion  could  be  formed  how  long  the  obstruction  might  con- 
tinue, the  Congress  again  resumed  the  consideration  of  printing 
the  Bible,  and  the  matter  was  referred  to  a  committee  of  three. 
An  individual  was  found  who  would  undertake  the  work,  and 
in  1782,  Congress  appointed  a  committee  of  three  to  attend  to 
the  edition  contemplated  by  Robert  Aikin,  of  Philadelphia.  The 
committee  '  having  attended  to  the  progTess  of  the  work,  and 
engaged  the  assistance  of  the  chaplains  of  Congress,' — where- 
upon it  was  '  Resolved,  That  the  United  Slates,  in  Congress  as- 
sembled, highly  approve  the  pious  and  laudable  undertaking,  as 
subservient  to  the  interests  of  religion,  [not  Mohammedan,  Jewish, 
infidel,  deist,  or  pagan,  but  the  Christian  Religion,]  and  being 
satisfied  of  the  care  and  accuracy  in  the  execution  of  the  work, 
recommend  this  edition  of  the  Bible  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
United  States.'  What  intolerance  thus  to  aid  in  diffusing  the 
Bible,  instead  of  the  Koran,  or  the  Shaster,  and  grieving  the  con- 
sciences of  [infidels,]  deists,  and  atheists." 

What  do  objectors  now  think  about  a  majority  of  the  framers 
of  the  Constitution  being  anti-christian  ? 

We  know  this  is  not  the  same  body  which  framed  the  Con- 
stitution; but  many  of  the  members  of  this  body  were  members 
of  the  Convention.  Both  bodies  possessed  a  similar  spirit.  Who 
can  now  doubt  that  this  nation  recognized  the  Christian  religion 
as  its  religion ;  and  that  those  men  who  framed  the  Constitution, 
as  well  as  those  who  helped  to  administer  it  for  many  years, 
believed  in  and  cherished  the  Christian  religion  ? 

FASTS. 

In  1776,  we  find  the  late  Governor  Livingston  obtaining  leave 
and  presenting  a  resolution  to  Congress  for  a  national  fast,  which 
is  in  the  foUowmg  words  :  "  That  it  becomes,"  &c.  "  Congress, 
therefore,  desirous  to  have  people  of  all  ranks  and  degrees  duly 
impressed  with  a  solemn  sense  of  God's  superintendhig  provi- 


238  THE   SABBATH. 

dence,  and  of  their  duty  devoutly  to  rely,  in  all  their  lawful  enter- 
prises, on  his  aid  and  protection,  do  earnestly  recommend  that 
Friday,  the  17th  day  of  May  next,  be  observed  by  the  said  Colo- 
nies, as  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer ;  that  we  may,, 
by  a  sincere  repentance  and  amendment  of  life,  through  the 
merits  and  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ,  obtain  his  pardon:  and  if 
our  unnatural  enemies,  continuing  deaf  to  the  voice  of  reason 
and  humanity,  are  inflexibly  bent  on  war,  it  may  please  the  Lord 
of  hosts,  the  God  of  armies,  to  animate  our  officers  and  soldiers; 
earnestly  beseeching  him  to  bless  our  civil  rulers  and  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people,  preserve  and  strengthen  their  union," 
&c. 

"  The  citizens  respectfully  received  this  official  communica- 
tion. The  Divine  Being  heard,  and,  as  they  thought,  blessed 
the  government  and  nation  on  said  day.  Congress  adjourned, 
and  joined  in  the  solemnities." 

In  the  same  year.  Congress  recommended  another  day  of  fast- 
ing and  prayer,  in  the  following  words : 

"  Whereas,  the  war  is  likely  to  be  carried  to  the  greatest  ex- 
tremity ;  and  whereas  it  becomes  all  public  bodies,  as  well  as 
private  persons,  to  reverence  the  providence  of  God,  and  look  up 
to  him  as  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  all  events,  and  the  Arbiter  of 
the  fate  of  nations,"  &c. — at  the  same  time  "  Resolved,  That 
Congress  be  opened  every  morning  at  ten  o'clock,  Sundays  ex- 
cepted." 

Surely  a  nation  has  nothing  to  fear  from  such  "  anti-christian''^ 
men  as  formed  these  two  Congresses. 

In  February,  1778,  another  committee  was  appointed  by  Con- 
gress to  prepare  a  recommendation  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  to  set  apart  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer : 
April  22d  was  set  apart  for  that  purpose.  The  proclamation 
was  more  fully  and  humbly  expressed  than  the  former,  but 
breathed  the  same  spirit.     Congress  joined  in  it. 

Another  fast  was  observed  by  Congress,  on  the  first  Thurday 
of  May,  1779,  and  bore  the  signature  of  "  John  Jay,  at  that  time 
President  of  Congress."    A  part  of  it  is  as  follows : 

"  The  States  are  recommended  to  apply  themselves  to  prayer, 
that  God  would  be  pleased  to  avert  impending  calamities,  that 


THE  CHRISTIAN  RELIGION  ADOPTED.  239 

he  would  grant  us  his  grace  to  repent  of  our  sins,  and  amend 
our  lives,  according  to  his  holy  word ;  *  *  *  that  he  will  diffuse 
useful  knowledge,  and  extend  the  influence  of  true  religion^ 

The  religion  of  his  "  Holy  Word,"  which  forbids  labor  on 
Sunday :  not  the  religion  of  the  infidel,  or  Jew,  or  pagan. 

In  March,  1780,  another  committee  was  appointed  for  the 
same  purpose,  and  the  last  Wednesday  of  April  was  set  apart  as 
the  day.  In  1781,  another  fast  was  ordered  to  be  kept  on  Thurs- 
day, the  3d  of  May.  In  1782,  another  was  observed  on  the  last 
Thursday  of  April;  and  "  early  in  1783,  the  Divine  Being,  whom 
the  Congress  had  so  often  nationally  and  officially  honored,  vouch- 
safed peace  to  the  Union." 

In  each  of  these  proclamations  for  a  fast,  the  spirit  of  true 
Christianity  is  breathed,  and  Congress  adjourned  to  join  in  sup- 
plications to  the  Christian's  God,  for  his  protection,  forgiveness, 
and  blessing ;  confessing  their  sins,  and  humbling  themselves  on 
account  of  them.  Congress  also  adjourned  to  unite  in  the  reli- 
gious services  of  Good  Friday.  Away  with  the  objector's  ca- 
lumny ;  it  is  as  base  and  false  as  ever  was  uttered  by  the  "  ac- 
cuser of  the  brethren."  What  would  those  Congresses  have 
said  to  a  proposition,  at  that  period,  to  desecrate  the  holy  day  of 
God — to  give  the  sanction  of  the  nation  to  it  ?  They  were  good 
men,  and  the  people  were  blessed.  Would  that  our  rulers  could 
now  be  induced  to  engage  in  such  acts  of  acknowledgment  of 
their  dependence  on  the  Christian's  God,  and  manifest  such  a 
disposition  to  sustain  his  laws. 

There  is  other  evidence  to  show  that  this  nation  recognized 
the  Christian  religion,  and  that  the  framers  of  the  Constitution 
were  not  "  anti-christian  men." 

THANKSGIVINGS. 

Each  year  from  1777  to  1783  inclusive,  we  find  Congress  ap- 
pointing days  for  national  thanksgiving  and  prayer,  which  were 
duly  observed.  On  motion  of  John  Randolph,  in  1781,  October 
24th,  it  was  "  Resolved,  That  Congress  will,  at  2  P.  M.,  this 
day,  go  in  procession  to  the  Dutch  Lutheran  church,  and  return 
thanks  to  Almighty  God,  for" — &;c. 

In  the  proclamation  for  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  we  find  sen- 


240  THE    SABBATH. 

timents  of  piety  expressed  in  the  following  and  similar  lan- 
guage :— 

"  That  all  the  people  assemble  on  that  day  to  offer  fervent 
supplications  to  the  God  of  all  grace,  that  he  would  incline  our 
hearts,  for  the  future,  to  keep  all  his  laws,  and  that  he  would 
cause  the  knowledge  of  Christianity  to  spread  all  over  the  earth" 
— "  above  all,  to  praise  him  that  he  hath  continued  to  us  the 
light  of  the  blessed  gospel,  and  to  supplicate  him,  that  he  would 
cause  pure  religion  and  virtue  to  flourish." 

It  would  seem  that  the  wise  and  patriotic  men  of  those  times 
believed  that  the  "  blessed  gospel,"  not  the  Koran,  nor  the  Shas- 
ter,  but  the  Christian  system,  was  better  adapted  to  the  wants  of 
men  than  any  other  system ;  and  their  conduct  shows  that  they 
did  not  entertain  views  congenial  to  the  feelings  of  infidels  and 
deists  of  our  day.  Had  both  lived  at  the  same  lime,  they  would 
have  been  antipodes  in  sentiment  and  action.  We  see  no  lack 
of  proof  that  the  framers  of  our  Constitution,  and  the  men  who 
first  administered  it,  were  not  anti-christian,  as  our  objectors 
would  have  us  believe.  It  is  perfectly  evident  that  these  men 
were  not  ashamed  to  own  their  accountability  to  God,  and  their 
dependence  on  him :  nor  were  they  ashamed  or  afraid  to  recog- 
nize the  Christian  religion,  in  their  national  capacity.  They  had 
discernment,  fidelity,  piety,  and  patriotism  enough  to  prompt 
them  to  make  a  wise  choice,  when  they  laid  down  the  Christian 
religion  as  the  foundation  of  this  government,  instead  of  the 
Jewish,  Mohammedan,  pagan,  infidel,  or  deistical  religion.  God 
be  praised  for  the  noble  deed. 

But  it  appears  that  many  of  the  members  of  Congress,  for  the 
last  twelve  or  fifteen  years,  have  been  ashamed  to  acknowledge 
God;  and  infidels  have  united  with  them  to  prove  that  we  have 
no  Sabbath,  and  that  this  nation  knows  no  religion.  She  may, 
in  her  riches  and  pride,  have  forgotten  her  religion ;  but  she 
once  had  a  religion,  and  that  was  the  Christian.  She  ought  to 
have  it  still. 

Infidels  would  have  us  believe  that  the  Jew,  the  Mohamme- 
dan, and  the  pagan,  have  as  much  claim  to  legislation  in  favor 
of  their  religion,  as  Christians  have  a  right  to  expect  that  Con- 
gress will  not  legislate  against  theirs.     But  these  pleas  are  all 


THE   CHRISTIAN   RELIGION   ADOPTED.  241 

false — a  mere  subterfuge  to  rid  themselves  of  all  accountability 
to  the  laws  of  God  and  man. 

CHAPLAINS. 

There  is  one  fact  more,  in  connection  with  this  point,  from 
which  we  gather  further  testimony  : 

In  1776,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  "  Resolved,  That 
a  chaplaui  be  appointed  to  each  regiment  in  the  continental 
army."  In  1777,  "  Resolved,  That  chaplains  be  appouited  to 
the  hospitals."  In  17S8,  Congress  "  earnestly  recommended  to 
the  States  and  officers  of  the  army,  to  discountenance  profane- 
ness  and  vice ;"  and  solemnly,  more  than  once,  resolved  that 
"  true  religion  and  good  morals  are  the  only  solid  foundations  of 
public  liberty  and  happiness, — solicited  Christian  ministers  to 
preach  at  the  funerals  of  deceased  members."  From  the  com- 
mencement of  their  sittings,  Christian  chaplains  were  appointed 
to  open  their  sessions  with  prayer. 

STATE    LAWS. 

The  several  States  which  own  canals  and  railroads,  should 
close  them  on  Sunday  ;  and  not  corrupt  the  morals  of  their  citi- 
zens, undermine  our  government,  and  sin  against  God,  by  per- 
mitting them  to  be  used  on  that  day.  Every  good  citizen  ought 
to  remonstrate  against  such  a  practice.  Infidels  and  deists,  al- 
ways ready  to  carp  whenever  anything  is  said  or  done  to  cross 
their  path  of  blood,  over  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men,  have  said 
— "  Well,  then,  the  Jew  who  will  not  work  on  Saturday,  accord- 
ing to  that  doctrine,  should  call  on  the  legislatures  to  make  laws 
preventmg  work  on  Saturday."  It  has  been  clearly  shown  that 
this  nation  recognizes  the  Christian,  instead  of  the  Jewish  reli- 
gion. Moreover,  we  have  never  called  on  the  States  to  make 
any  law  whatever,  about  individual  or  corporate  property,  though 
it  might  be  proper  to  do  so.  The  States  should  not  run  boats 
and  cars,  nor  suffer  them  to  be  run,  on  the  Lord's  day,  on  their 
canals  and  railroads,  putting  the  money  thus  earned  into  the 
treasury,  because  we  are  a  Christian  nation ;  and  such  an  act 
tends  to  destroy  the  Christian  religion,  and  our  government. 
The  same  may  be  said  of  national  property.  Neither  the  States 
21 


242  THE   SABBATH. 

nor  the  nation  has  a  right  to  commit  such  a  suicidal  act.  If  we 
were  an  infidel  or  pagan  nation,  then,  so  far  as  civil  law,  and 
our  religion  were  concerned,  there  would  be  no  objection.  But 
now  they  have  no  such  right,  civil  or  divine.  By  continuing  the 
practice,  they  dishonor  God,  ruin  men,  and  will,  ere  long,  writhe 
under  the  displeasure  of  that  Being  who  has  said,  "  Remember 
the  Sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy." 

Infidels  say,  our  States  have  no  right  to  legislate  on  religion. 
Our  Sabbath  laws  ought  to  be  repealed.  In  other  words,  we 
suppose  they  would  be  understood  to  say, — "  If  we  choose  to  cor- 
rupt your  youth,  contaminate  your  morals,  and  destroy  your  re- 
ligion, you  have  no  right  to  make  a  law  to  prevent  it,  though  our 
conduct  would  assuredly  lead  to  that  result.  We  have  thrown  off 
the  government  of  God,  because  we  do  not  believe  there  is  any 
God;  and  now  we  would  throw  off  the  government  of  man;  be- 
cause we  believe  man  would  do  better  without  any  government. 
We  hate  the  Christian  religion,  and  we  know  how  it  can  be  de- 
stroyed ;  and  if  you  let  us  alone,  it  shall  be  destroyed.  You  shall 
let  us  alone,  because  you  have  no  right  to  make  a  law  touching 
religion." 

"  We  would  ask,  is  it  rational  to  suppose  that  the  government 
and  nation,  in  1776,  were  not  Christian,  and  knew  no  religion  ? — 
when  the  United  States,  in  Congress  assembled,  (though  there 
were  then  Jews,  and  possibly  a  few  deists,)  yet  officially  pro- 
moted the  circulation  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  bound 
themselves  by  the  sanctity  of  an  oath,  on  the  Holy  Volume ;  re- 
joiced, '  above  all'  in  the  possession  of  the  Gospel  of  peace,  at- 
tributed all  national  blessings  to  Almighty  God ;  implored,  and 
recommended  the  people  to  implore,  his  direction  in  their  coun- 
cils, and  his  forgiveness  of  their  sins,  through  the  merits  of  the 
Divine  Redeemer ;  and  measured  our  national  existence  by  '  the 
year  of  our  Lord:'  when  they  urged  the  States  to  cherish  'pure 
and  undefiled  religion,'  which  the  States  never  understood  to  be 
other  than  the  Christian;  when  they  carefully  provided  and 
paid  Christian  chaplains,  of  various  denominations,  that  their 
armies,  navies,  and  hospitals,  might  be  supplied  with  Christian 
instruction  and  consolation ;  when  they  reverently  waived  na- 
tional business  on  the  Sabbath,  while  a  Christian  nation  was  en- 


THE    CHRISTIAN   RELIGION   ADOPTED.  243 

gaged  in  worshiping  the  Father  of  mercies ;  and  even  tenderly- 
accommodated  those  denominations  that  would  celebrate  the 
crucifixion  of  the  Redeemer  ?  We  shall  see  that  the  spirit  of 
'76,  on  these  subjects,  was  still  alive  in  the  administration  of 
Washington.  If,  therefore,  our  government  is  no  longer  Chris- 
tian, but  Jewish,  Mohammedan,  pagan,  or  atheistical,  it  is  in- 
cumbent on  those  who  declare  it  it  anti-christian,  '  to  point  out 
when  3.nd  how  the  change  was  introduced.'  "  Under  this  head  we 
have  quoted  largely  from  Logic  and  Law. 

Before  closing  the  remarks  on  this  point  we  add  an  extract 
from  Rev.  Evan  Johns. 

"  Here,  I  would  ask,  are  not  the  representatives  of  the  people, 
with  all  their  magistrates,  chosen  by  the  people,  bound  to  de- 
vise and  to  carry  into  effect  measures  to  aid  them  in  the  pursuit 
of  happiness  ?  Elected  for  this  purpose,  are  not  legislatures  in 
duty  bound  to  enact  all  the  laws  in  their  judgment  adapted  to 
answer  the  end  of  their  appointment  ?  Again,  are  not  all  our 
laws  designed  to  prevent  the  ill-disposed  from  violating  the 
rights  of  our  fellow-citizens  ?  Again,  are  not  indecent  exposures 
of  human  person,  as  well  as  other  indecencies,  punishable  by 
law — punishable  because  injurious  to  morals  ?  Are  not  certain 
things  cognizable  by  law,  under  the  name  of  nuisances,  because 
they  are  found  prejudicial  to  health  ?  Is  not  the  disturbance  of 
public,  social  worship,  at  once  a  nuisance  and  an  infringement  of 
right  ?  Who  will  deny,  that  the  rumbling  of  a  long  string  of 
wagons,  the  cracking  of  whips,  and  the  blowing  of  horns,  in 
front  of  a  church,  during  public  worship,  is  a  dreadful  nuisance  ? 
*  *  *  Has  any  person  the  hardihood  to  deny  that  these 
sore  evils  may  be  legitimately  prevented  by  laws  adapted  to  the 
nature  of  each  case  ?  To  give  an  affirmative  answer  to  each  of 
these  questions,  every  candid  person  would  feel  himself  impelled, 
when  considering  that  facts  have  demonstrated,  and,  if  cited, 
would  again  show  clearly  and  fully  that  such  is  the  constitution 
given  by  divine  Providence  to  man  and  beasts  of  labor,  as  to 
make  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath  indispensable,  to  secure  the  great- 
est attainable  portion  of  happiness.  Who  then  will  have  the 
audacity  to  say,  that  the  advocates  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  are 
not  authorized  in  their  exertions  to  have  it  kept  holy  by  the  most 


244  THE   SABBATH. 

clearly  evident  moral  principles ;  or,  which  amounts  to  the  same 
thing,  by  the  divine  Author  of  nature." 

But  whether  the  friends  or  advocates  of  the  Sabbath  touch 
this  point  or  not,  they  "  are  most  shamefully  insulted  and  most 
vilely  aspersed,  by  persons  apparently  determined  to  convince 
the  world,  that  the  tale  of  the  frog  and  the  ox  is  not  fabulous." 
If  public  and  outward  acts  of  Sabbath  desecration  are  not  pro- 
hibited by  government  in  State  laws,  such  a  day  and  such  a  gov- 
ernment, especially  if  republican,  cannot  be  sustained. 

See  also  remarks  already  made  in  the  Petitions  to  the  twen- 
ty-fifth Congress,  third  session,  1837  and  1838,  page  76-133. 

Objection  VIII. — "  Works  of  public  utilitt  may  be  done  on 

Sunday." 

The  objector  often  excuses  his  violation  of  the  Sabbath  by  say- 
ing that  the  example  of  Christ  justifies  works  of  public  utility  on 
Sunday. 

In  all  the  examples  Christ  has  given,  relative  to  works,  which 
are  appropriate  to  the  Sabbath,  not  one  of  them,  we  believe,  re- 
lates to  works,  other  than  merciful.  "  Works  of  necessity  and 
mercy,"  on  which  so  much  stress  is  often  laid,  is  not  Bible  lan- 
guage. However  high  its  authority,  many  are  led  astray  by  it. 
Christ  taught  by  example  and  precept,  that  the  sick  might  be 
healed,  a  horse  might  be  watered,  an  animal  m  the  ditch  might 
be  helped  out  on  the  Sabbath.  He  does  not  adduce  instances  of 
wasting  grain,  mouldering  and  bleaching  hay,  carrying  the  mail 
in  "  cases  of  emergency,''''  traveling  on  journeys,  running  of  boats, 
rail-cars  and  stages,  &c.  &c.  None  of  these.  The  language  of 
the  law  of  the  Sabbath  is  sufficiently  explicit  to  convince  the 
plainest  man,  that  to  do  such  works  is  a  breach  of  that  law. 
Christ's  words  in  relation  to  this  subject,  were  doubtless  called 
forth  by  the  over-righteous  Scribes  and  Pharisees.  They  were 
even  opposed  to  his  healing  a  man  whose  right  hand  was  with- 
ered. The  disease  was  doubtless  considered  incurable  by  man ; 
and  Jesus  might  never  again  pass  that  way.  Jesus  loved  mercy, 
not  sacrifice.  No  works  which  men  consider  as  necessary,  aside 
from  mercy,  were  specified ;  for  by  the  law  man  was  forbidden  to 


WORKS   APPROPRIATE   TO.  245 

do  any  work  on  the  Sabbath.  "  Six  days  shalt  thou  labor  and  do 
a// thy  work."  Here  is  the  ^e?ier«Z  rule.  Of  all  kinds  of  work, 
works  of  mercy,  mentioned  by  our  Savior,  are  the  exceptions. 
Any  one's  regular  business,  can  usually  be  done  before  the  Sab- 
bath, or  after  it :  emergencies  can  generally  be  foreseen  and  pro- 
vided for,  so  that  the  loss  shall  be  less,  by  neglecting  it  on  the 
Sabbath,  than  by  doing  it,  and  breaking  a  known  command  of 
God.  But  the  call  for  works  of  mercy  cannot  always  be  fore- 
seen and  guarded  against ;  hence  the  necessity  of  relieving  suf- 
fering nature,  wherever  and  whenever  it  may  be  found. 

A    SUPPOSED    CASE. 

But,  suppose  there  are  Christian  brethren  who  wish  to  cross 
the  Rocky  Mountains  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor  Indians ; 
and  they  need  the  protection  and  assistance  of  the  caravans 
which  traverse  those  dangerous  and  pathless  wilds,  but  which 
do  not  keep  the  Sabbath.  "  The  command  is, '  Go,  preach  my 
Gospel  to  every  creature ;'  and  these  men  are  called  to  go ;  but 
if  they  go,  they  must  either  travel  on  that  day,  or  expose  them- 
selves to  be  robbed  of  all  their  goods,  and  perish  by  the  hands  of 
savages.  What  shall  be  done  ?  Shall  they  travel  on  Sunday,  or 
stop  and  die  by  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  as  in  such  circumstances 
they  undoubtedly  would  ?"  Things  are  assumed  here  which  are 
not  granted.  That  the  Gospel  should  be  preached  to  all  nations, 
and  that  it  is  the  duty  of  some  persons  to  go  and  preach  it  to  the 
Indians,  no  true  friend  of  man  or  of  God  will  deny.  But  who 
the  persons  are  that  should  go,  and  Jiow  they  shall  go,  is  quite 
another  thing.  The  command,  to  "  go,  preach,"  is  admitted  to 
be  .imperative,  as  is  also  "in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work." 
But  what  is  to  be  done  ?  Why,  the  Gospel  must  be  preached, 
and  men  must  go  to  the  field  ;  and,  if  there  be  no  other  way  to 
reach  it,  but  by  doing  some  work  on  Sunday,  such  as  managing 
a  vessel  at  sea,  that  comes  within  the  rule  which  Christ  laid 
down,  and  mercy  cries,  go,  teach  the  heathen  the  way  to  eter- 
nal life.  Were  we  not  at  liberty  to  do  this,  those  who  dwell  in 
the  islands  of  the  sea,  would  live  and  die  in  ignorance  of  the 
way  to  heaven,  and  sink  to  hell.  Yet  God  has  said,  "  The  isles 
shall  wait  for  his  law."  But  the  case  before  us  is  quite  different. 
21* 


246  THE   SABBATH. 

No  one  pretends  that  it  is  indispensably  necessary  that  the  cara- 
vans should  travel  on  the  day  of  rest.  They  might  safely  and 
profitably  rest  if  they  would.  Admitting  then  that  these  breth- 
ren should  go,  that  they  must  cross  the  mountains  and  have  the 
protection  of  a  caravan,  we  still  do  not  make  out  a  justification 
for  their  traveling  on  Sunday,  for  there  is  a  way  of  safely  reach- 
ing that  distant  land,  without  violating  the  fourth  command- 
ment. So  long  as  this  is  the  case,  it  is  sin  to  break  the  one,  in 
order  to  fulfill  the  other.  It  is  this  :  let  there  be  a  caravan  com- 
posed ivholly  of  missionaries.  Their  services  are  greatly  needed, 
and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  so  large  a  number  should,  imme- 
diately be  on  their  way  thither.  But  if  this  be  impracticable  in 
the  present  state  of  feeling  in  the  church,  let  a  sufficient  number 
of  men,  who  would  obey  God,  be  hired,  to  proceed  with  the 
brethren.  Should  it  be  objected,  that  this  would  be  a  great 
waste  of  money ;  let  it  be  remembered  that  the  money  is  the 
Lord's,  and  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  is  his ;  and  which  is  of  the 
most  value  in  his  sight  ?  If  the  money  cannot  be  obtained  for 
this  object,  and  it  is  not  safe  for  the  missionaries  to  go  unpro- 
tected, then,  is  it  not  clearly  their  duty  to  stay  and  convert  the 
heathen  among  whom  they  now  live,  and  who  are  in  danger  of 
an  infinitely  deeper  perdition  than  the  savages  of  the  Oregon 
Territory  ? 

AVhen  determining  what  things  are  appropriate  to  be  done  on 
the  Lord's  day,  and  what  are  not,  the  following,  among  other 
tilings,  are  to  be  taken  into  the  account,  viz :  Does  God  require 
the  thing  to  be  done  ?  Am  I  under  obligation  to  do  it  ?  Is  this 
the  time  when  it  should  be  done  ?  Is  there  no  way  possible  by 
which  it  can  be  done,  Avithout  performing  some  work  on  Sun- 
day ?  If  not,  then  mercy  cries,  do  it.  This  brings  it  within  the 
case  excepted  from  the  general  law.  But  the  want  of  a  caravan 
of  missionaries,  or  money  enough  to  hire  one,  that  would  not 
desecrate  holy  time,  would  not  bring  it  within  the  rule.  For 
the  thing  might  be  done  without  labor  on  Sunday ;  and,  on  those 
who  withheld  the  means,  and  not  on  the  brethren  ready  to  go, 
will  fall  the  responsibility.  Many  questions  relating  to  tliis  sub- 
ject naturally  arise,  which,  at  first  view,  seem  to  present  insur- 
mountable difficulties,  but  these  all  vanish  on  a  full  investigation. 


WORKS  APPROPRIATE  TO.  247 

The  question  is  not,  whether  a  thing  can  be  better  and  cheaper 
done  on  Sunday  than  to  delay  it,  or  whether,  in  our  judgment, 
greater  good  would  result  from  such  labor;  but  does  God  re- 
quire the  thing  to  be  done,  &  c.  as  above  ?  Works  of  "  neces- 
sity," so  called,  when  tried  by  this  standard,  (and  is  it  not  the 
true  one  ?)  would  be  reduced  to  a  very  small  number. 

God  is  not  absurd  and  unreasonable,  requiring  his  creatures  to 
violate  one  of  his  commands  that  they  may  obey  another.  Man, 
in  his  ignorance,  may  sometimes  think  the  cause  of  Christ  would 
be  most  advanced,  and  the  greatest  good  accomplished,  by  his 
traveling  on  Sunday.  As,  for  instance,  a  minister,  twenty  miles 
from  home,  who  can,  Sunday  morning,  step  into  a  rail-car,  boat, 
or  stage,  and  reach  home  in  season  to  preach  to  his  destitute 
people :  or  leave  home,  and  travel  that  distance,  less  or  more,  and 
preach  to  those  who  otherwise  would  have  no  gospel  sermon, 
may  think  this  is  doing  the  will  of  God.  But  God  has  required 
no  such  thing ;  for  should  his  law  be  obeyed,  by  those  directing 
these  public  conveyances,  no  boats,  cars,  or  stages,  would  run  on 
Sunday,  and  of  course  the  minister  could  not  then  thus  travel. 

Objection  IX. — "  Christian  Rome  and  Greece  were  not  more 

PEOSPEROUS  THAN  HEATHEN  ROME  AND  GREECE." 

Opposers  to  Christianity  would  fain  make  us  believe  that  our 
religion  is  not  adapted  to  make  men  prosperous  and  happy ;  as 
proof,  they  refer  to  Rome  and  Greece,  which,  till  some  time 
after  the  death  of  the  apostles,  scarcely  deserved  the  name  of 
Christian. 

Would  God  that  every  infidel,  deist,  atheist,'and  Christian  too, 
might  this  moment  see  and  know  all  the  benefits  which  heathen 
Greece  and  Rome  derived  from  the  religion  of  the  Bible;  and  in 
how  many,  and  what  respects.  Christian  Greece  and  Rome  were 
better  than  the  same  countries  when  heathen.  But  "  none  are 
so  blind  as  those  that  will  not  see."  Heathen  Greece  and  Rome, 
for  want  of  the  religion  and  morality  of  the  Bible,  failed  to  per- 
petuate their  intelligence  and  prosperity ;  as  all  other  nations,  in 
like  circumstances,  must  likewise  fail.  Besides,  who  can  tell 
how  much,  of  what  advancement  they  did  make,  these  nations 
owed  to  the  influences  of  revelation  ?    How  much  of  God  and 


248  THE   SABBATH. 

the  religion  of  the  patriarchs  had  tradition  taught  them  and  their 
ancestors  ?  For  there  were  some,  even  in  those  days,  who  knew 
and  acknowledged  the  true  Grod.  The  Greeks,  from  whom  the 
Romans  received  all  their  learning,  were  a  colony  led  from 
Egypt  by  Cecrops,  1556  years  before  Christ,  and  15  years  after 
the  birth  of  Moses.  This  colony  founded  the  kingdom  of  Athens, 
in  Greece.  They  must  have  carried,  at  least,  many  traditionary 
notions  of  the  true  God  with  them.  The  Egyptians  knew  some- 
thing of  him  in  the  days  of  Abram,  as  the  history"  of  Pharaoh 
and  Sarah  shows.  Egypt  was  learned.  Abram,  Isaac,  and  Ja- 
cob had,  each  in  their  turn,  visited,  and  Joseph  had  long  lived  in 
Egypt ;  and  it  appears  that  there  had  often  been  pious  men  in 
that  country.  No  man  can  tell  how  much  influence  the  religion 
from  heaven  had  on  the  progress  of  Egypt  in  knowledge,  nor 
how  much  the  reflected  light  of  revelation  had,  in  the  beginning, 
in  raising  heathen  Greece  and  Rome  to  their  subsequent  eleva- 
tion. They  must  have  heard  of  God's  power,  of  his  judgments 
in  famine  and  his  blessings  in  plenty.  Egypt  seems  early  to  have 
risen  to  great  perfection  in  the  arts  and  sciences ;  and  was  a  large 
and  flourishing  kingdom  430  years  after  the  flood.  "  Moses  lived 
more  than  1000  years  before  the  age  of  Herodotus,  who  is  the 
reputed  father  of  Grecian  history."  The  Greek  writers  confess 
that  they  received  the  letters  of  their  alphabet  from  the  Phoeni- 
cians, (the  Canaanites  of  Scripture,)  very  soon  after  the  found- 
ing of  Athens ;  and  it  is  believed  that  the  Phoenicians  derived 
the  art  of  writing  from  the  Jews.  Porphyry,  an  equal  enemy  to 
Jews  and  Christians,  admits  that  Moses  and  the  prophets,  who 
immediately  succeeded  him,  lived  "  nearly  a  thousand  years  be- 
fore any  of  the  Greek  philosophers ;"  and  he  was  a  friend  to  Gre- 
cian literature.  The  Jews  were  placed  by  God  in  the  very  midst 
of  the  then  known  and  civilized  world ;  they  grew  to  be  a  great 
nation ;  God's  wonderful  works  were  wrought  that  the  heathen 
might  know  Him  ;  and  history  informs  us  that  the  name  of  Jeho- 
vah was  thereby  spread  abroad.  Can  it  be  that  Greece  and 
Rome  did  not  feel  this  silent  influence,  that  emanated  from  the 
temple  of  Jehovah  at  Jerusalem,  and  from  his  works  in  the  land 
of  Israel  ?  AVho  first  instructed  Egypt  in  the  arts  and  sciences, 
and  yet  kept  from  her  all  knowledge  of  the  Supreme  Being  ? 


TRADITION  A.RY   KNOWLEDGE.  249 

Egypt  was  founded  by  a  grandson  of  Noah,  164  years  after  the 
flood.  In  this  short  period  their  founder,  Mizraim,  could  not 
have  forgotten  the  Lord  God  of  his  fathers.  When,  now,  were 
all  these  nations  the  most  prosperous — when  they  knew  most, 
or  least,  about  Him  who  made  them  ?  Doubtless,  when  they 
knew  most  about  God,  and  rendered  the  most  perfect  obedience 
to  his  commands.  Do  infidels  and  deists  contemptuously  inquire, 
how  could  they  know  any  thing  about  him  before  the  days  of 
Moses  ?  Look  at  the  opportunities  of  correct  information  which 
Moses  had  when  he  wrote  the  Pentateuch.  It  is  true  that  most 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  at  this  early  age  of  the 
world,  came  through  the  medium  of  tradition.  We  shall  see 
whether  Moses  did  not  receive  his  information  by  channels  on 
which  he  might  depend  with  the  greatest  confidence. 

TRADITIONARY   KNOWLEDGE. 

The  antediluvian  world  stood  1656  years.  From  the  death 
of  Adam  to  the  flood  was  726  years ;  and  Noah  lived  600  of 
these  years,  leaving  but  126  years  from  the  death  of  Adam  to 
Noah. 

"  Adam  was  contemporary  with  years. 

Lamech 5Q 

Methusaleh 243 

Jared 470 

Mahaleel 535 

Cainan 605 

Enos 695 

Noah  was  contemporary  with 

Lamech 595 

Methusaleh 600 

Jared 366 

Mahaleel 234 

Cainan  . 179 

Enos 84" 

Shem  was  contemporary  with 

Lamech 93 

Methusaleh 9S 

Noah     .         .         .         ,         .         .         .         .448 


250  THE   SABBATH. 

After  the  flood,  with 

Abraham 150 

Isaac 50." 

Polyglott  Bible. 

We  here,  at  a  glance,  can  see  how  a  history  of  past  events^ 
from  the  creation  Aoysna.  to  the  time  of  Abraham  and  Isaac,  might 
be  preserved  and  given  to  posterity.  Methusaleh  and  Lamech 
were,  in  all  probability,  well  acquainted  with  Adam.  Shem 
might  talk  with  the  companions  of  Adam,  and  with  Abraham 
and  Isaac.  Lamech  lived  93  years  with  Shem,  and  56  with 
Adam.  Methusaleh  lived  78  with  Shem,  and  243  with  Adam  ; 
and  Shem  lived  150  with  Abraham  and  50  with  Isaac. 

Now,  in  view  of  the  above  facts,  would  the  supposition  be  im- 
probable, that  not  only  correct  but  minute  accounts  of  all  import- 
ant events  as  they  occurred  were  handed  down  by  tradition,  since 
it  might  be  done  through  so  few,  and  such  individuals  as  above 
named  ?  As  Noah  was  600  years  old  when  the  flood  came — had 
three  sons,  Shem,  Ham,  and  Japheth,  who  were  married  ;  and 
Shem  at  least  one  himdred  years  old,  it  would  seem  impossible 
that  they  should  be  ignorant  of  what  had  happened  in  the  old 
world,  since  all  depended,  from  generation  to  generation,  on  tra- 
ditionary knowledge.  It  is  very  improbable  that  after  the  mi- 
raculous preservation  of  their  lives  in  the  Ark,  they  would  give 
a  false  history  to  their  descendants  of  any  important  events 
which  had  happened.  Noah  died  283  years  after  Heber  was 
born.  Heber  died  but  256  years  before  Moses,  or  19  years  after 
Jacob  was  bom.  Heber,  therefore,  had  opportunity  to  gain  all 
the  information  his  father  Shem  and  his  grandfather  Noah  pos- 
sessed, relative  to  the  two  worlds,  and  to  communicate  the  same 
to  Jacob.  So  from  Jacob,  his  children,  called  the  children  of 
Israel,  might  obtain  the  same  facts  and  hand  them  down  to 
Moses.  At  the  present  day,  when  the  life  of  man  is  so  short,  it 
would  be  difficult  thus  to  preserve  facts  in  the  minds  of  one  gen- 
eration, for  the  use  of  another  ;  but  not  so  difficult  in  patriarchal 
times.  Who  can  suppose  that  Noah  and  Jacob  were  deceived 
in  this  matter,  or  would  attempt  to  palm  an  untruth  upon  the 
nations  of  their  day  ? 

It  was  only  256  years  from  the  death  of  Heber  to  Moses ; 


TRADITIONARY   KNOWLEDGE.  251 

and  the  law  was  given  to  Moses,  when  he  was  81  years  old. 
How  then  could  Moses,  if  he  stated  facts  falsely,  make  the  an- 
cients helieve  a  lie  ?  After  the  death  of  Adam,  126  years  inter- 
vened before  Noah  was  bom,  who  died  only  two  years  before  the 
birth  of  Abraham.  If  Moses  had  then  mis-stated  the  facts  of 
the  world's  history,  there  would  have  been  many  to  correct  him. 

It  is  supposed  that  Noah  founded  the  Chinese  monarchy — that 
Ashur,  son  of  Shem,  built  Nineveh,  capital  of  the  Assyrians — 
that  the  Jews  and  Arabians  descended  from  Arphaxed,  who  also 
was  a  son  of  Shem.  Babylon  was  founded  by  Nimrod,  great 
grandson  of  Noah,  in  the  line  of  Ham,  about  120  years  after  the 
flood ;  and  Cush,  and  the  son  of  Ham,  it  is  said,  began  the  set- 
tlement of  Ethiopia.  Menes,  or  Mizraim,  in  Scripture,  another 
son  of  Ham,  it  is  supposed,  founded  the  kingdom  of  Egypt,  about 
160  years  after  the  flood. 

Canaan,  another  son  of  Ham,  was  the  father  of  the  Ca- 
naanites,  Sidonians,  Tyrians,  and  Carthaginians. 

Japheth  settled  the  western  parts  of  Asia,  and  the  countries 
of  Europe. 

Is  it  not  then  more  than  probable,  that,  at  the  time  Egypt  was 
founded,  and  while  she  was  advancing  to  the  height  of  her  great- 
ness, the  religion  of  the  true  God  must  have  contributed  much, 
yea  more  than  anything  else,  to  her  elevation  ?  And  is  there 
any  thing  impossible  in  our  obtaining,  through  the  channel  just 
mentioned,  tolerably  correct  accounts  of  the  creation,  the  flood, 
and  other  important  events  recorded  in  the  Old  Testament,  even 
without  the  aid  of  inspiration  ?  Surely  there  is  not.  But  with 
such  aid,  those  who  have  given  us  the  history  could  not  err. 
-  But  to  return,  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  in  the  Apostles'  day, 
were  among  the  first  to  whom  he  preached  the  gospel ;  and  it 
could  not  be  expected  that  these  proud  masters  of  the  world 
would  at  once  become  the  humble  followers  of  the  Lamb. 
Rome,  in  the  early  days  of  Christianity,  might  have  been  in 
the  objector's  eye.  Christian  Rome,  yet  Nero,  the^emperor,  not 
a  long  time  after  its  nominal  conversion,  was  the  veriest  hea- 
then, and  most  wicked  despot,  in  all  the  world.  His  heart  was 
as  hard  and  cruel  as  any  that  ever  disgraced  the  human  char- 
acter. 


252  THE  SABBATH. 

Rev.  J.  MoNTEiTH  says,  "  We  are  told  that  Greece  and  Rome 
were  prosperous  without  the  Sabbath.  My  reply  is,  Greece 
and  Rome  were  idolatrous — they  were  not  irreligious.  Idolatry 
is  debasing,  and  demoralizing,  but  it  does  not  like  infidelity  ob- 
literate conscience  and  spurn  at  the  authority  of  Heaven.  False 
religions  are  bad,  but  they  are  not  so  bad  nor  so  prejudicial  to 
morals  as  no  religion.  Among  that  half  enlightened  heathen 
nation,  the  weekly  Sabbath  was  but  little  recognized,  yet  their 
days  of  rest  and  solemn  worship  were  numerous,  and  had  a  pow- 
erful tendency  to  soften,  chasten,  and  subdue  the  feelings  of  the 
heart.  All  their  institutions,  as  well  as  their  poetry  and  litera- 
ture, were  attempered  by  the  restraining  obligations  of  religioua 
fear. 

"  Providence  was  more  propitious  to  them  than  it  will  be  to  the 
reprobate  progeny  of  a  degenerate  Christianity.  "We  learn  the 
practical  maxim  of  Providence  from  the  impressive  language  of 
the  Son  of  God.  '  It  will  be  more  tolerable  for  Sodom  and  Go- 
morrah, in  the  day  of  judgment  than  for  that  city,'  which  abuses 
great  privileges.  The  times  of  ignorance  God  winks  at, — where 
the  Gospel  is  not  known  iniquity  is  not  so  severely  marked  and 
punished.  Nations  in  such  circumstances  may  enjoy  a  degree  of 
prosperity,  which  cannot  be  enjoyed  by  those  to  whom  the  true 
God  has  been  made  known  and  who  have  cast  off  his  fear.  That 
guilt  which  draws  do^vn  the  heaviest  judgment,  and  interrupts 
national  prosperity,  is  the  guilt  of  abused  light — of  those  '  who 
knew  their  master's  will  and  did  it  not.' 

"  The  History  of  Rome  furnishes  striking  testimony  to  the  or- 
dinary maxims  of  Divine  Providence.  Her  prosperity  has  been 
overrated ;  she  was  never  a  happy  nation — her  citizens  were  al- 
ways occupied  with  foreign  wars  or  intestine  commotion.  Her 
institutions  were  barbarous — her  laws  were  cruel  and  unjust — 
her  public  amusements  were  stained  with  the  blood  of  her  sons 
— her  domestic  institutions  made  the  Father  of  the  family  the 
arbiter  of  life  and  death  among  his  children  and  servants.  Are 
these  the  blessings  of  being  without  the  Christian  religion  ? 

"  The  downfall  of  Rome  illustrates  the  same  doctrine.  The 
steps  by  which  she  was  brought  to  this  catastrophe,  may  be 
seen  in  the  persecutions  which  she  carried  on  against  the  Chris- 


MORALITY    OF   THE   QUAKERS.  253 

tian  religion.  She  rejected  the  Christian  religion — she  despised 
its  institutions — persecuted  and  put  to  death  its  advocates,  and 
used  her  best  efforts  to  blot  out  its  name.  Hence  the  fabric  of 
her  monstrous  empire  was,  from  that  period,  daily  crumbling  to 
ruin ;  and  the  vials  of  divine  wrath  did  not  cease  to  be  poured  out 
till  not  a  vestige  of  her  greatness  remained. 

"It  is  not,  therefore,  true,  that  Greece  and  Rome  prospered, 
while  they  did  not  reverence  the  institutions  of  religion." 

Objection  X. — "  There  is  not  a  more  moral  people  than 
THE  Quakers,  yet  they  observe  no  Sabbath,  because  they  do  not 
believe  that  the  Bible  requires  it  of  them." 

What  can  we  suppose  the  objectors  to  mean,  by  assertions  of 
this  sort,  unless  it  be  to  prove  that  the  religion  of  the  Bible  and 
the  Sabbath  have  no  salutary  influence  in  rendering  nations  and 
communities  better  ?  If  they  do  mean  this,  it  shows  their  dishon- 
esty or  criminal  ignorance  of  the  history  of  the  world,  and  a  wish  to 
prejudice  the  minds  of  others  against  the  system  of  revealed  reli- 
gion, from  which  we  derive  so  many  blessings,  social,  civil,  and  re- 
ligious. Can  any  one  prove  that  the  Sabbath  has  had  no  influence 
in  forming  the  moral  character  of  the  Friends  ?  That  it  had  no 
influence  on  Wm.  Perm  and  his  colony?  Before  their  morality, 
which  was  commendable,  can  be  adduced  to  show  that  the  Sab- 
bath does  not,  in  its  tendency,  make  communities  and  individ- 
uals better,  it  must  be  proved  to  demonstration,  that  Wm.  Penn 
and  his  colony  never  were  favorably  influenced  by  the  Sabbath 
and  the  Christian  religion ;  ivhich  never  can  he  proved.  Should 
the  objector  show  us  a  Wm.  Penn,  and  a  colony,  like  the  Penn- 
sylvania Quakers,  in  Japan,  the  Washington  Islands  of  the  Pa- 
cific, among  the  mountains  of  the  Moon,  or  along  the  Ganges, 
every  way  as  civil,  moral,  intelligent,  and  respectable  as  were 
those  first  mentioned,  but  who  had  never  religiously  observed  a 
Sabbath,  nor  heard  of  one — who  had  never  been  informed  of  a 
revealed  religion,  and  had  never  seen  a  man  who  kept  a  Sabbath 
and  observed  the  religion  of  the  Bible,  but  had  been  constantly 
surrounded  by  pagans,  from  time  immemorial ;  such  a  fact  might 
be  adduced  to  show  that  the  Christian  religion  and  the  Sabbath 
are  not  essential  to  the  highest  happiness  of  man  in  this  world. 
22 


254  THE    SABBATH. 

But  such  an  instance  cannot  be  found.  With  equal  propriety- 
might  the  objector  say,  that  the  Christian  religion  and  the  Chris- 
tian Sabbath  have  no  tendency  to  make  a  people  civil,  moral, 
and  intelligent,  because,  m  Cleveland  there  are  infidels  and  deists 
— men  who  do  not  believe  in  either,  and  yet  they  are  not  barba- 
rians, but  are,  some  of  them,  civil,  intelligent,  and  respectable. 

Such  questions  raised  by  objectors  against  the  Christian  re- 
ligion, betray  a  bad  heart,  and  are  supremely  ridiculous.  They 
show  that  those  who  ask  them  prefer  heathenism,  with  its  ac- 
companiments, to  Christianity. 

Objection  XL — "  Literature  and  other  influences  are  ade- 
quate TO  secure  morality,  and  the  best  interests  of  society^ 
without  the  Sabbath.'''' 

Intelligence,  the  arts  and  sciences,  it  is  said,  are  the  cause  of 
the  vast  difference  in  the  characters  of  men.  But  it  can  easily 
be  shown,  by  well  authenticated  facts,  that  this  cannot  be,  and 
that  the  arts  and  sciences  never  flourish  so  well,  in  any  soil,'as  in 
that  Avhich  produces  the  fruits  of  the  gospel  in  the  greatest 
abundance. 

"  What  influence,"  says  Bro-\vnlee,  "  had  the  splendid  lec- 
tures of  Socrates  and  Plato,  of  Tully  and  Seneca,  on  the  popula- 
tion of  Greece  and  Rome  ?  What  influence  have  the  zeal  and 
eloquence  of  modern  moralists  had  on  the  body  of  their  follow- 
ers ?  And  what  is  the  moral  character  of  the  great  body  of  the 
studious  youth,  at  home  and  abroad,  even  after  they  have  enjoyed 
the  benefit  of  the  ablest  instructions  from  the  moral  chair  2  The 
truth  is,  the  doctrine  of  morals,  in  these  philosophical  systems, 
is  usually  separated  from  the  holy  principles  of  the  religion  of 
Christ ;  and  wherever  this  has  been  done,  no  one  single  conver- 
sion, no  one  genuine  reformation  has  ever  been  efl'ected.  The 
human  system  of  morality,  drawn  up  by  the  wise  and  learned, 
can  never  communicate  the  principle  of  spiritual  life  ;  and  from 
the  days  of  Socrates  to  our  time,  it  never  hasAone  it." 

Nothing  but  the  sanctifying  and  regenerating  influences  of  the 
Christian  religion,  sustained  by  the  Sabbath,  can  convert  and 
save  an  individual,  or  a  community,  from  idolatry,  superstition, 
and  moral  death.     Science,  refinement,  and  morality,  were  it 


LITERATURE   CANNOT   CONVERT   MEN.  255 

possible  for  them  long  to  exist  and  flourish  without  it,  could 
never  do  it.  Human  enactments  have  always  been  found  equally 
inadequate. 

"  In  what  districts  have  crimes  abounded  the  most — such  as 
theft,  robbery,  lewdness,  intemperance,  and  murder  ?  Just  in 
those  parts  and  among  those  classes  of  people  over  whom  infi- 
delity and  atheism  have  been  exerting  their  fatal  influences 
with  untiring  assiduity ;  and  where  there  is  no  pastor  to  assem- 
ble the  people ;  and  where  there  is  no  veneration,  nor  even  re- 
spect, for  the  holy  Sabbath ;  and  where  there  is  not  a  church- 
going  people,  even  when  they  might,  if  they  chose,  enter  the 
house  of  God.  In  fact,  it  is  obvious  to  all  v/ho  have  bestowed 
the  least  attention  on  this  subject,  that  in  every  family,  in  every 
street  of  our  cities,  in  every  district  of  our  country,  where  no 
Sabbath  is  sanctified,  there  is  no  religion.  Where  there  is  no 
Sabbath,  there  are  no  pure  morals.  Where  there  is  no  Sabbath, 
there  man  forgets  God,  and  God  gives  up  man  to  his  own  cor- 
rupt ways. 

"  Where  there  is  no  Sabbath  sanctified  by  a  people,  these 
classes  of  men  who  boast  of  their  illummation  by  philosophy, 
become  sceptics,  infidels,  atheists  !  Where  there  is  no  Sabbath 
sanctified,  those  classes  of  the  people  who  are  not  enlightened 
by  philosophy,  (and  they  are  the  great  mass  of  the  population,) 
become  degraded  by  all  manner  of  vice,  and  brutalized  by 
idolatry.  Every  pagan  and  Mohammedan  land,  every  infidel 
district  in  town  or  country,  exhibit  the  most  painful  and  over- 
whelming evidences  of  these  facts. 

"  The  history  of  missionary  enterprise,  and  the  ecclesiastical 
condition  of  nations,  throw  additional  light  on  our  argument,  and 
strengthen  it. 

"  Lift  up  your  eye  and  trace  the  progress  of  the  Gospel  and  its 
institutions  over  the  different  nations  of  the  world.  Contrast 
the  Christian  districts  and  villages  in  the  bosom  of  the  nation  of 
ancient  Egypt,  and  Syria,  and  Greece,  and  the  Roman  provinces. 
What  a  contrast !  It  is  the  contrast  of  light  with  darkness — 
of  piety  with  superstition — of  religious  homage  with  shocking 
idolatry — of  purity  with  revolting  abominations — of  manly  and 


256  THE  SABBATH. 

dignified  love  of  liberty  and  respect  for  all  the  rights  of  men, 
v/ith  mental  degradation  and  tameness  under  slavery  !  Contrast 
the  Christian  Britons,  with  the  Britons  of  Caesar's  day — the 
Christian  Americans  with  the  red  men  of  the  wilderness.  What, 
I  pray  you,  has  wrought  this  difference  !  The  Gospel,  and  its 
ministry,  and  its  holy  Sabbaths,  and  its  sacred  institutions — 
these  have  done  it.  Take  away  these  from  the  British  by  the 
deadly  power  of  infidelity,  and  the  paganism  and  druidism  of 
the  Britons  would  be  soon  renewed.  Banish  from  our  happy 
republic  the  Sabbath  and  the  Gospel  and  the  ministry — place 
us  under  the  atheism  and  power  of  the  infidel  mob  of  our  day, 
*  *  #  our  happy  land  would  soon  lose  her  liberty  and  her  fair 
institutions ;  and  we  should,  in  a  short  period,  be  as  the  bond 
slaves  of  Spain,  or  Italy,  or  Austria,  or  the  dark  pagan  lands 
of  Asia." 

Contrast,  moreover,  the  moral  and  political  condition  of  the 
twenty-three  islands  in  the  Pacific  ocean,  now  Christianized,  in 
part,  with  their  condition  as  described  by  Cook  and  other  voya- 
gers before  our  missionaries  went  among  them.  Let  these  again 
be  without  a  Sabbath,  and  religious  instruction,  and  they  would 
soon  be  numbered  among  the  degraded,  ignorant,  and  cruel. 
Of  France,  before  the  revolution,  our  author  continues : — 
"  New  tyrants  add  fresh  injuries,  and  at  the  distance  of  about 
one  hundred  years  from  that  massacre  [St.  Bartholomew's  in 
1572,]  in  1685,  Louis  XIV.  revoked  the  edict  of  Nantes,  and  let 
loose  the  fiends  of  persecution.  By  a  succession  of  cruelties, 
massacres,  and  exiles,  the  great  body  of  the  faithful  ministry  of 
France  was  destroyed.  The  rest,  a  melancholy  remnant,  pining 
in  obscurity,  fell  by  degrees  a  prey  to  the  ignorance  and  the  super- 
stition of  the  age.  The  churches  were  shut  up,  the  Gospel  was 
not  preached,  the  holy  Sabbath  was  neglected  and  profaned 
over  the  kiogdom.  The  decency  of  morals  gradually  perished 
with  religion.  Led  on  at  last  by  Voltaire  and  his  atheistic 
satellites,  the  frightful  demon  of  infidelity  filled  France  with  its 
emissaries.  These  met  with  feeble  opposition.  Truth  had 
fallen  in  the  streets, and  her  faithful  watchmen  were  gone! 
Vice,  and  crime,  and  atheism,  covered  France.     This  conspiracy 


SPECIAL   JUDGMENTS.  257 

against  G-od  and  man  burst  fortli  in  the  old  French  revolution ; 
and  it  buried  the  government,  and  religion,  and  morals,  and  the 
nation,  in  blood  and  havoc  !" 

Alas,  there  are  but  too  sure  indications  that  we  are  following 
in  her  steps,  and  shall  soon  share  her  doom  I  A  nation  without 
the  influence  of  the  Christian  religion  and  the  Sabbath,  as 
prosperous  as  a  nation  enjoying  them !  A  man  must  be  astonish- 
ingly ignorant,  or  regardless  of  truth,  to  assert  any  such  thing. 

Objection  XII. — Special  judgiments  aee  not  inflicted  for 

NATIONAL   SINS. 

The  idea  of  special  judgments  coming  on  a  nation  for  great 
national  sins — such  as  Sabbath-breaking,  licentiousness,  and  the 
like,  has  by  infidels  and  deists  been  much  ridiculed.  They  are 
unwilling  to  admit  that  nations  ever  suffer  such  judgments  for 
their  sins,  or  receive  rewards  for  obeying  God's  commands ;  and 
this  opinion  extends  to  the  case  of  individuals  also. 

NATIONAL. 

"  In  the  mean  time,"  says  Brownlee,  "  let  such  as  deny  the 
doctrine  of  national  accountability  for  cherished,  and  even 
authoritative  violations  of  the  fourth  commandment,  mock  on. 
God  will  vindicate  the  honor  of  his  own  law,  however  it  may 
be  assailed,  whether  by  ingenious  sophistry,  or  open  defiance. 
One  of  the  first  acts  of  avowed  atheism  in  France  was  to  abolish 
the  Christian  Sabbath  ;  and  the  Lord  came  out  against  her  with 
fire  and  with  chariots,  like  a  whirlwind,  to  render  his  anger 
with  fury,  and  his  rebuke  with  flames  of  fire." 

No  people  ever  yet  gave  up  the  Sabbath  at  once.  It  has  such  a 
hold  on  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  men,  that  it  is  among  the 
last  moral  precepts  whose  claims  can  be  shaken  ofi".  While  a 
man  is  preparing  to  do  this,  his  last  act  of  violence  to  his  con- 
science, he  gradually  throws  off"  one  restraint  and  then  another ; 
and  when  he  comes  to  this  last,  and  gains  courage  enough  to 
cast  it  also  from  him,  he  is  an  infidel— Mly  prepared,  except  as 
restrained  by  public  opinion,  to  pull  down  temples  of  Christian 
worship,  bum  the  Bible,  banish  its  ministers,  tread  in  the  dust 
22* 


258  THE  SABBATH. 

every  humble  believer;  and,  were  it  possible,  pluck  Jehovah 
from  his  throne. 

The  infidel  and  deist  wish  not  the  God  of  the  Bible,  any 
more  than  they  wish  the  Sabbath  of  the  Bible ;  and  they  Avould 
as  soon  annihilate  the  one  as  the  other,  so  far  as  their  influence 
on  the  Christian  religion  is  concerned.  Either,  lost  to  the 
Christian,  all,  to  him,  is  lost.  God  and  the  Sabbath  are  the 
two  greatest  foes  of  wicked  men — the  olject  to  be  worshiped, 
and  the  time,  when  all  men  shall  meet  to  pay  homage  to  Him. 
When  men  have  broken  down  this  last  barrier  to  out-breaking 
crimes,  they  have  become  ripe,  like  infidel  France,  not  only  for 
their  deeds  of  blood  and  carnage,  but  for  the  righteous  judgments 
of  Heaven.  Since,  then,  all  nations  and  people,  which  have 
trodden  the  Sabbath  in  the  dust,  have  been  dashed  in  pieces  and 
scattered  to  the  winds, — since  those  nations,  which  have  re- 
ligiously observed  that  institution,  have  been,  without  excep- 
tion, prosperous,  intelligent,  and  happy, — and  since  God  blessed 
or  cursed  the  Jews,  according  as  they  regarded  or  disregarded 
that  day,  as  he  said  he  would,  we  cannot  but  infer  that  awful 
punishments,  in  this  life,  await  the  nation  or  community  who 
pollutes  that  holy  day. 

Jer.  xvii.  21,  22,  27.—"  Thus  saith  the  Lord,"  &:c.  "  But  if 
ye  will  not  hearken  unto  me,  to  hallow  the  Sabbath,  and  not 
bear  a  burden,  even  entering  in  at  the  gates  of  Jerusalem  on  the 
Sabbath  day — then  will  I  kindle  a  fire  in  the  gates  thereof,  and 
it  shall  devour  the  palaces  of  Jerusalem,  and  it  shall  not  be 
quenched." 

Lev.  xxvi.  33,  34. — "  And  I  will  scatter  you  among  the 
heathen,  and  draw  out  the  sword  after  you,  and  your  land  shall 
be  desolate,  and  your  cities  waste.  Then  shall  the  land  enjoy 
her  Sabbaths  as  long  as  it  lieth  desolate,  and  ye  shall  be  in  your 
enemies'  land  ;  even  then  shall  the  land  rest  and  enjoy  her 
Sabbaths." 

Read  Neh.  xiii— also.  Lev.  xxvi. 

Believer  in  the  Christian  religion  !  we  tremble  for  this  nation, 
and  for  those  communities  which  profane  the  Sabbath.  The 
Jews  did  not  obey  God  in  this  respect,  and  the  threatened 
judgments  have  been  literally  fulfilled,  as  every  one  knows  who 


SPECIAL   JUDGMENTS.  259 

is  but  partially  acquainted  with  their  history.  Infidels  may 
laugh,  and  ascribe  it  to  chance  ;  but  the  "  day  of  their  calamity 
draweth  nigh."  They  may  in  this  life  escape  the  judgments  of 
heaven,  for  defying  God  and  trampling  on  his  authority  ;  for  this 
is  not  a  state  of  retribution  to  individuals  ;  but  the  day  is  com- 
ing, Avhen  their  hands  will  not  be  strong,  and  their  hearts  will 
not  endure. 

INDIVIDUALS. 

Cases  of  signal  punishment  for  individual  sins,  in  this  world, 
additional  to  those  recorded  in  the  Bible,  might  be  given.  Nor 
is  there  any  mystery  at  all  about  it.  The  natural  tendency  of 
breaking  the  Sabbath  is  downward  ;  and  the  road  is  full  of  pit- 
falls and  thorns,  and  frightful  precipices.  See  some  dozen  or 
twenty  cases  recorded  in  proof  of  this  position,  in  a  little  tract  en- 
titled "  Sabbath  Occupations,^''  published  by  the  American  Tract 
Society.     We  shall  copy  one  or  two  of  them  : 

"  A  number  of  persons  appointed  a  certain  Sabbath  as  a  time 
to  play  at  foot  ball.  And  while  two  of  them  were  tolling  a  bell 
to  call  the  company  together,  they  were  struck  with  lightning 
and  both  died." 

"  A  pious  minister,  in  his  sermon,  once  spoke  of  the  man  in 
the  camp  of  Israel,  who  was  stoned  to  death  for  gathering  sticks 
upon  the  Sabbath.  A  thoughtless  man  present  was  offended  ; 
and  to  show  his  contempt,  left  the  house,  and  began  to  gather 
up  sticks.  When  the  congregation  came  out,  they  found  the 
man  dead,  with  a  bundle  of  sticks  in  his  arms." 

We  add  a  word  from  a  distinguished  foreign  writer : 
.  "  Let  the  degradation,  the  disgrace,  and  at  last  the  expulsion 
of  the  race  of  Stuarts  from  the  throne  of  Britain,  serve  as  a  pub- 
lic warning  to  all  Britons.  For  who,  in  the  least  acquainted 
with  the  history  of  his  country,  knows  not,  that,  from  the  time 
when  James  the  sixth  of  Scotland  and  first  of  England  set  him- 
self to  establish  iniquity  by  a  law,  by  instituting  the  book  of 
sports  !  in  England,  for  the  Lord's  day,  the  judgments  of  heaven 
pursued  that  family  with  calamity  upon  calamity,  till  the  line  of 
princes  in  that  house,  to  lay  claim  to  the  crown  of  Britain,  is 
now  no  more  ?" 


260  THE  SABBATH. 

Many  deluded  and  wicked  men,  like  those  just  referred  to, 
while  listening  to  the  history  of  the  punishment  and  death  of 
the  man  who  gathered  sticks  on  the  Sabbath,  as  recorded  in 
Numb.  XV.  32-36,  have  been  roused  to  indignation  and  contempt, 
both  toward  the  Lawgiver  and  Israel.  They  denounce  the 
transaction  as  totally  unjust,  and  deserving  the  unqualified  repro- 
bation of  all  good  men.  But  look  at  the  circumstances.  God 
had  separated  Israel  from  the  heathen,  to  train  them  up  in  a 
knowledge  of  himself.  He  had  given  them  his  law,  with  its 
awful  penalties.  Obedience  to  that  law  would  qualify  them  for 
his  service,  in  communicating  to  the  rest  of  the  world  his  mind 
and  will,  and  the  plan  of  salvation  through  Jesus  Christ.  Diso- 
bedience to  that  law,  unpunished,  would  bring  it,  as  well  as  its 
Author,  into  contempt ;  and  a  man  might  show  his  contempt  of 
the  Lawgiver  as  fully  by  killing  one  man,  as  by  killing  a  thou- 
sand ;  and  by  picking  up  sticks,  as  by  running  boats  and  stages 
on  the  Sabbath. 

God  also  well  knew,  that  if  his  people  would  not  religiously 
keep  the  Sabbath,  as  he  had  commanded,  it  would  be  impossi- 
ble to  preserve  among  them  a  knowledge  of  himself.  The  Sab- 
bath, as  an  instrument  in  his  hands  to  accomplish  this  object, 
was  every  thing.  If  he  suffered  one  man  to  profane  it,  though 
in  a  very  trifling  matter,  another  would  not  only  take  the  same, 
but  greater  liberties ;  and  in  a  short  time,  as  facts  in  other  coun- 
tries show,  they  would  have  had  no  Sabbath  among  them ;  or 
individuals,  at  least,  would  neither  sanctify,  nor  care  anything 
about  it.  Further,  if  this  and  other  breaches  of  the  Sabbath 
were  to  go  unpunished,  the  whole  people  might  become  lawless, 
and  God  might  give  them  up  to  be  destroyed. 

Under  these  circumstances,  should  the  man  be  put  to  death, 
that  the  law  might  be  honored,  and  the  whole  people  saved,  or 
should  he  go  unpunished,  the  law  be  despised,  and  God  compel- 
led to  give  up  the  people  to  self-destruction  ?  We  should  say, 
let  the  man  he  stoned  to  death ;  and  let  not  only  Israel,  but  all 
creation  utter  a  loud  amen  to  it.  Men  who  will  continue,  con- 
temptuously, impiously,  and  wantonly,  to  profane  that  day,  for 
their  own  sakes,  and  the  loorWs^  had  better  be  put  away  from 
society,  every  one  of  them,  than  be  allowed  to  go  on,  filling  up 


SPECIAL   JUDG3IENTS.  261 

the  measure  of  their  iniquities,  until  they  shall  have  blotted  out 
the  institution  among  them,  and  thereby  destroyed,  not  only 
themselves,  but  millions  of  others,  m  body  and  soul.  So  have 
thought  all  those  wise  men  who  have  enacted  laws  touching 
Sabbath  desecration.  Then  the  Sabbath  might  be  saved.  Men 
would  not,  for  their  own  gratification^  continue  to  trample  on 
the  law  of  the  Sabbath,  if  they  knew,  that,  as  the  price  of  their 
temerity,  confinement  was  soon  to  be  inflicted  upon  them.  They 
would  then  pause  and  tremble.  We  should  then  have  a  way 
of  preventing  those  men  from  destroying  themselves  and  the 
community,  who  fear  not  the  divine  threatenmgs.  Men  who 
disregard  future  retribution,  would  then  fear  present.  It  is  on 
account  of  such  men,  that  God  has  given  us  an  example  of  the 
mode  of  governing  a  people  by  a  code  of  civil  laws.  This  de- 
claration will  doubtless  startle  many.  But  we  take  the  life  of 
the  man  who  breaks  the  sixth  commandment ;  and  why  not  the 
liberty  of  the  man  ^\\io  -perseveres  in  breaking  the  fourth  ?  God 
gave  the  example  of  taking  life  in  hoth  instances:  and  the  Sab- 
bath-breaker, ivilfully  and  hahitually  so,  is  doing  more  injury  to 
the  morals  of  the  community,  than  ten  murderers ;  because  we 
do  not  see,  so  clearly,  the  evil  he  is  committing,  and  therefore 
make  no  provision  to  coimteract  it.  As  to  the  propriety  of  taking 
life,  at  the  present  day,  for  any  crime,  we  say  nothing.  But  of 
this  we  are  confident :  God  has  put  into  the  hands  of  every 
nation,  a  rule  by  which  wicked,  infidel,  deistical  men,  who  dis- 
believe and  contemn  him,  and  disregard  their  laws,  can  be  gov- 
erned, and  prevented  from  destroying  the  influence  of  the  gospel 
and  its  institutions,  which  he  has  designed  shall  bless  the  world. 
Those  nations  which  will  not  avail  themselves  of  that  rule,  will 
be  destroyed  J ?/  these  men  who  fear  not  God  ;  and  all  together, 
will  go  to  destruction. 

There  are  ways  enough  to  avail  ourselves  of  this  rule,  without 
taking  a  man's  life.  If  a  man  says,  I  fear  not  your  God,  neither 
will  I  obey  his  voice,  nor  your  laws  touching  him  and  his  word ; 
but  I  will  blaspheme  his  name,  pollute  his  Sabbaths,  and  ridi- 
cule his  word — shut  him  out  from  society,  for  he  will  assuredly 
corrupt  and  destroy  it,  unless  you  do. 

"Which  is  best,  that  this  one  member  should  suffer,  or  the  whole 


262  THE   SABBATH. 

body  ?  We  only  touch  upon  this  point,  not  intending  here  to 
discuss  it  at  length ;  but  suspect  that  we  have  given  up  ground 
to  the  infidel  and  deist  which  must  be  retaken,  or  they  will  not 
only  ruin  themselves,  but  their  families  and  the  world.  Man 
has  no  right  to  disobey  God,  to  the  injury  of  his  fellow  men.  If 
we  allow  him  to  do  it,  we  nourish  in  our  bosom  an  asp  which 
will  sting  us  to  death. 

There  are  two  ways  ordauied  by  God  of  governing  moral 
agents  in  this  world.  One  is  moral  suasion — not  only  to  per- 
suade men  to  do  right,  but  to  endeavor  to  prevent  them  from 
doing  wrong.  But  this  cannot  prevent  them  from  doing  wrong. 
The  other  is,  physical  force.  This  is  only  for  those  who  are 
determined,  notwithstanding  moral  suasion,  to  do  wrong.  This 
physical  force  cannot,  nor  is  it  intended  to  make  a  man  love  God, 
and  be  religious ;  but  it  can  keep  him  from  doing  wicked  acts — 
those  things  which  God  has  forbidden  him  to  do;  and  this  God 

intends  to  have  done.      In  a  philanthropic  and  political  point   of 

view  merely,  we  have  a  right,  admitted  by  all  good  citizens,  to 
forbid  the  doing  of  those  things  which  mjure  society ;  but  we 
may  not  have  a  right  to  command  the  doing  of  all  those  things 
which  might  be  beneficial  to  society.  The  man  is  to  have  his 
choice,  whether  he  will  go  to  heaven  or  to  hell ;  but  he  cannot 
have  his  choice,  whether  he  may  or  may  not  do  those  things 
which  will  drag  others  along  with  him — he  may  not  have  his 
choice,  whether  he  will  block  up  the  way  to  heaven,  and  con- 
temn God,  and  labor  to  make  others  contemn  him. 

God  had  a  moral  and  a  civil  or  judicial  code.  Both  were 
necessary  m  Moses'  time ;  and  for  the  same  reasons,  both  are 
necessary  in  these  times. 

We  should  like  to  explain  this  point  farther,  but  have,  per- 
haps, already  digressed  too  far  from  the  main  subject. 

Objection   XIII. — "  Christians   wish  to  unite   Church  and 
State." 

It  has  been  alleged  that  deists  secured  to  this  nation  its  reli- 
gious liberty ;  and  it  is  also  claimed  by  some,  that  liberty  origi- 
nated in  the  mind  of  a  deist  in  this  country. 

Our  belief  has  always  been,  that  the  first  spark  of  religious 


NO   UNION   OF   CHURCH   AND    STATE.  263 

and  republican  liberty  emanated  from  the  Bible,  and  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Sabbath,  and  through  the  Puritans,  before  they  left 
England.  Some  very  important  facts,  on  this  pomt,  may  be 
gathered  from  the  following  extracts. 

"  In  the  days  of  the  Commonwealth,  *  *  *  on  which  side 
was  found  the  inextmguishable  love  of  liberty,  and  the  great 
weight  of  solid  English  character,  and  morality,  and  pure  re- 
ligion ?  In  the  camp  of  the  republicans,  beyond  a  doubt ;  among 
the  Puritans  and  Whigs,  where  the  Sabbath  was  held  most  sa- 
cred, and  the  ministry  of  Christ  honored,  and  the  pure  gospel 
preached  uniformly  with  divine  success.  And  what  a  contrast 
did  this  present  to  the  camp  of  Charles  I.  and  the  court  of  Charles 
j^II.  The  Scottish  malignant,  and  the  English  cavalier,  the  favor- 
ites of  the  Stuarts,  united  in  their  characters  the  grossest  flat- 
tery of  absolute  monarchy  and  spiritual  tyranny,  with  the  most 
revolting  irreligion,  blasphemy.  Sabbath-breaking,  intemperance, 
reveling,  and  an  utter  contempt  of  even  common  decency." — 
Brownlee. 

The  following  very  pertinent  remarks  are  from  a  sermon 
preached  in  New  York  city, in  1831,  by  Rev.  Herman  Norton: 

"union  of  church  and  state." 
"  How  this  charge  appears  in  this  country  at  the  present  time. 
— It  is  brought  more  particularly  against  the  Presbyterians. 
They  are  said  to  be  engaged  in  a  conspiracy  against  this  great 
republic,  or  are  attempting  to  subvert  the  liberties  of  the  people. 
"  On  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  the  Presbyterians  have 
never  been  charged  with  uniting  Church  and  State.  They  have 
\io  connection  with  the  civil  government ;  do  not  believe  in  a 
union  between  civil  and  religious  afiairs ;  and /or  this  very  rea- 
son, have  always  been  opposed  by  the  sovereigns  of  Europe. 

"  That  you  may  see  that  this  is  not  mere  assertion,  without 
proof,  I  will  bring  forward  the  testimony  of  one,  on  this  subject, 
who  will  not  be  considered  very  partial  towards  the  Presbyteri- 
ans. I  refer  to  Hume,  that  notorious  infidel.  He  declares  that 
Queen  Elizabeth  opposed  the  Presbyterians,  or  Puritans,  (for 
the  Presbyterians  are  their  descendants,)  '  because  of  their  at- 
tachment to  civil  liberty.'    <  By  them  alone,'  Hume  says,  '  the 


264  THE  SABBATH. 

precious  spark  of  liberty  had  been  kindled  and  was  preserved  ; 
and  to  them  the  English  owe  the  whole  freedom  of  their  Consti- 
tution.' 

"  Hume  also  says,  that  James  I.  '  saw  in  the  Presbyterians  of 
Scotland  a  violent  turn  towards  republicanism,  and  a  zealous 
attachment  to  civil  liberty  ;'  and  that  James  declared  '  that  there 
is  no  more  agreement  between  Preshyteriaiiism  and  monarchy, 
than  between  God  and  the  devil. ^ 

"  He  further  asserts,  that  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  '  they 
were  disgusted  with  the  court,  from  their  attachment  to  the 
principles  of  civil  liberty,  which  were  essential  to  their  party.'' 

"  Fhially,  Hume  says,  these  Presbyterians  '  shipped  off  to 
America,  and  founded  a  government,  where  they  enjoyed  all 
that  liberty  which  they  desired,  but  could  not  obtain  in  their 
own  country.' 

"  But  these  people  are  now  charged  with  uniting  Church  and 
State.  They  are  said  to  be  subverting  the  liberties  of  this 
country,  while  they  adopt  the  same  civil  and  religious  creed 
which  has  kept  alive  the  spark  of  liberty  in  Europe,  infidels 
themselves  being  judges. 

"  Two  charges,  directly  opposite  to  each  other,  brought  against 
those  who  embrace  the  same  views  and  sentiments  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty,  cannot  both  be  true.  If  the  charges  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Atlantic  are  true,  as  kings  and  infidels  affirm, 
then  the  allegation  that  Presbyterians  in  this  country  are  sub- 
verting the  liberties  of  the  people,  is  the  most  ludicrous  that 
was  ever  made  by  the  tongue  of  mortal. 

"  But  after  all  the  noise  which  the  cry  of  '  Church  and  State"* 
has  made  through  the  country,  and  all  the  prejudice  which  it 
has  excited,  it  is  a  matter  of  fact,  that  loicked  men  have  been 
trying  to  unite  Church  and  State.  The  only  way  by  which  civil 
rulers  and  politicians  have  succeeded  in  condemning  Christians 
in  ages  past,  has  been  to  interfere  with  their  religion.  They 
have  enacted  pernicious  and  outrageous  laws,  subverting  the 
foundations  of  religious  principle  ;  they  have  armed  these  laws 
with  the  heaviest  penalties,  and  required  the  people  of  God  to 
obey  them  or  suffer.  The  faithful  servants  of  God  have  deter- 
mined to  obey  God,  rather  than  man.     This  has  been  called 


NO  UNION  OF  CHURCH  AND  STATE.  265 

obstinacy  by  the  wicked,  and  has  kindled  the  fire  which  has 
burnt  up  the  bodies  of  the  saints.  Christians  have  always  been 
the  best  subjects,  as  far  as  civil  law  has  been  concerned.  They 
have  always  been  prompt  to  obey.  Even  Louis  the  XIV.,  that 
bitter  persecutor  of  Christians,  said,  that  he  had  reason  to  ap- 
plaud their  fidelity  and  zeal  in  his  service.  They  omitted  no 
opportunity  of  giving  him  evidence  of  their  loyalty, '  even  heyond 
all  that  could  he  imagined,  contributing  in  all  things  to  the  ad- 
vantage of  his  affairs.'  Yet  after  this,  he  ordered  them  to  leave 
his  kingdom  in  fifteen  days,  or  turn  Roman  Catholics,  or  be  put 
to  death. 

"  It  is  only  when  rulers  have  made  laws  contrary  to  the  laws 
of  God,  that  Christians  have  refused  to  obey.  This  is  the  way 
which  wicked  men  have  devised  to  bring  charges  against  the 
people  of  God.  Look  at  the  case  of  Daniel — Dan.  vi.  4-5. 
'  Then  the  presidents  and  the  princes  sought  to  find  occasion 
against  Daniel  concerning  the  kingdom;  but  they  could  find 
none  occasion  nor  fault ;  forasmuch  as  he  was  faithful ;  neither 
was  there  any  error  or  fault  found  in  him.  Then  said  these 
men,  we  shall  not  find  any  occasion  against  this  Daniel,  except 
as  we  find  it  against  him  concerning  the  law  of  his  God.' 

"  They  could  find  fault  with  nothing  but  his  religion.  They 
discovered  that  Daniel  prayed  to  the  God  of  heaven  three  times 
a  day.  '  Now,  let  us  have  a  law,  that  no  man  shall  pray  only  to 
the  King  for  thirty  days.'  The  law  was  made ;  but  Daniel 
would  pray  to  his  God,  although  contrary  to  law,  and  he  was 
thrown  into  a  den  of  lions. 

"  Look  at  the  case  of  the  three  men  mentioned  in  Daniel  iii. 
They  would  not  worship  Nebuchadnezzar's  image.  So  they 
were  thrown  into  the  burning  fiery  furnace. 

"  So  in  hundreds  of  instances  since  that  time.  So,  we  have 
reason  to  believe,  it  will  be  in  time  to  come.  Christians  will 
be  put  to  death  for  not  submitting  to  the  Avicked  laws  of  wicked 
men,  who  are  thus  trying  to  unite  church  and  state.'''' 

We  are  not  certain  that  there  were  not  men,  in  this  nation, 

who  aided  in  making  the  laws  relative  to  Sabbath  mails,  with 

the  design  of  getting  something  against  Christians,  wherewith 

to  accuse  them  or  persecute  them,  if  they  would  not  quietly 

23 


266  THE   SABBATH. 

consent  to  break  the  fourth  commandment.  But,  whatever 
their  views  might  have  been,  they  have  effectually  shut  out  of 
the  Postoffice  Department,  every  consistent,  conscientious  be- 
liever in  the  Christian  religion.  Yet,  when  a  man  raises  his 
voice,  condemnmg  that  law,  as  against  the  law  of  God,  unjust 
and  unconstitutional,  many  wicked  men  in  this  land  are  ready 
to  throw  him  "  into  the  den  of  lions,"  and  would  gladly,  it 
seems,  annihilate  at  a  blow,  all  distinction  of  days,  so  far  as  bu- 
siness or  pleasure  is  concerned.  This  will  never  do.  God  will 
deal  with  this  nation  for  this  thing. 

Objection  XIV. — "  Washington,  Franexin,  and  most  of  the 
other  framers  of  our  government  were  disbelievers  in  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  or  at  least  sceptical.'^ 

Infidels  and  deists  say,  the  honest-hearted  should  be  informed, 
that  Washington,  Jefferson,  and  Franklin,  were  not  even  believ- 
ers in  Christianity,  or  at  least  not  orthodox  believers.  The 
same  is  said  of  the  majority  of  those  who  framed  the  Constitu- 
tion of  these  United  States.  No  doubt,  since  "  misery  loves 
company,"  infidels  and  deists  would  gladly,  if  they  could,  unite 
not  only  such  men  with  their  ranks,  but  the  prophets,  apostles, 
and  martyrs.  But  this  they  cannot  do;  and  their  assertions 
will  not  obtain  credit  without  confirmation  from  other  sources. 
That  all  the  framers  of  the  Constitution  were  devoted  Chris- 
tians, no  one  pretends.  But  it  is  not  true  that  Washington  was 
an  infidel,  nor  that  Franklin  was  at  that  time.  Indeed,  most  of 
those  who  aided  in  framing  and  adopting  that  valuable  instru- 
ment, were  very  far  from  being  infidels,  deists,  or  sceptics. 

WASHINGTON. 

"  The  father  of  his  country  was  our  first  President.  We  had 
thought  the  Chief  Magistrate  was  in  some  sense  the  represen- 
tative of  the  nation.  He  certainly  ought  to  know  the  '  spirit  of 
the  Constitution,'  for  he  is  sworn  to  support  it.  Washington 
entered  on  his  office  with  such  language  as  this :  '  It  would  be 
peculiarly  improper  to  omit,  in  this  first  official  act,  my  fervent 
supplications  to  that  Almighty  Being  who  rules  over  the  uni- 
verse— who  presides  in  the  councils  of  nations — and  whose  pro- 


WASHINGTON  AND  FRANKLIN  NOT  INFIDELS.  267 

vidential  aids  can  supply  every  human  defect,  that  his  benedic- 
tion may  consecrate  to  the  liberties  and  happiness  of  the  people 
a  government  instituted  by  themselves,  and  may  enable  every 
instrument  employed  in  its  administration  to  execute  with  suc- 
cess the  functions  allotted  to  his  charge.  In  tendering  this  ho- 
mage to  the  great  Author  of  every  public  and  private  good,  I 
assure  myself  that  it  expresses  your  sentiments  not  less  than 
my  own.' " 

What  is  this  but  an  acknowledgment  of  the  religion  of  the 
Bible,  rather  than  the  religion  of  deists  or  infidels  ?    He  continues : 

"  No  people  can  be  hound  to  acknowledge  and  adore  the  invi- 
sible hand  which  conducts  the  affairs  of  men,  more  than  the 
people  of  the  United  States.  *  *  *  We  ought  to  be  persuaded 
that  the  propitious  smiles  of  heaven  can  never  be  expected  on  a 
nation  that  disregards  the  eternal  rules  of  order  and  right  which 
heaven  itself  has  ordained." 

At  the  close  of  his  official  language,  he  supplicates  the  "  Be- 
nign Parent,"  that  his  blessing  may  still  attend  the  efibrts  of  our 
government. 

At  or  near  the  close  of  his  official  life,  he  says : 

"  It  is  important,  likewise,  that  the  habits  of  thinkings  in  a 
free  country,  should  inspire  caution  in  those  entrusted  with  its 
administration,  avoiding,  in  the  exercise  of  the  powers  of  one  de- 
partment encroaching  upon  another.  [Possibly,  for  example, 
that  the  Postoffice  Department  do  not  encroach  upon  the  habits 
of  thinking,  and  Sabbath  laws  of  the  States.]  Of  all  the  dispo- 
sitions and  habits  which  lead  to  political  prosperity,  religion,  and 
morality  are  indispensable  supports.  In  vain  would  that  man 
claim  the  tribute  of  patriotism,  who  should  labor  to  subvert 
these  great  pillars  of  human  happiness,  these  firmest  props  of 
the  duties  of  men  and  citizens.  The  mere  politician^  equally 
with  the  pious  man,  ought  to  respect  and  cherish  them." 

Cherish  what?  The  mere  politician  cherish  religion  and 
morality  !  He  as  much  bound  to  do  it,  and  that  too  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  as  the  pious  man !  Certainly,  and  for  the  best  of 
reasons,  so  far  as  man  is  concerned ;  because  they  are  "  the 
great  pillars  of  human  happiness,  the  firmest  props  of  the  duties 
of  men  and  citizens."    This  is  not  "  uniting  Church  and  State." 


268  THE  SABBATH. 

This  is  not  infidelity,  nor  anti-cliristianity ;  but  it  looks  very 
much  like  acknowledging  the  Christian  religion,  in  preference 
to  the  religion  of  pagans,  Mohammedans,  infidels,  or  deists. 

Hear  him  again : 

"  Let  it  be  simply  asked,  where  is  the  security  for  property, 
for  reputation,  for  life,  if  the  sense  of  religious  obligation  desert 
the  oaths,  which  are  the  instruments  of  investigation  in  courts 
of  justice  ?  Let  us  with  caution  indulge  the  supposition,  that 
morality  can  be  maintained  without  religion. — Whatever  may 
be  conceded  to  the  mfluence  of  refined  education  on  minds  of 
peculiar  structure,  reason  and  experience  both  forbid  us  to  ex- 
pect that  national  morality  can  prevail  in  exclusion  of  religious 
principle." 

It  is  said  of  Washington,  that 

"  He  lent  the  force  of  his  example  and  authority,  to  sanction 
the  separation  of  a  Sabbath,  for  the  purpose  of  sustaming  reli- 
gious prmciple.  Even  in  camp  no  unnecessary  duties  were  re- 
quired, though  it  was  well  known  that  an  enemy  who  burnt  our 
churches,  and  turned  them  into  riding-schools,  and  used  the 
pews  for  hog-pens,  accounted  the  nation  religious  and  Sabbath- 
keeping  ;  and  therefore  were  in  the  habit,  for  vexation,  of  en- 
deavoring, especially  on  that  day,  to  'beat  up  our  quarters.' 
We  know  well,  that  though  burdened  with  the  cares  of  the 
army  and  the  extensive  correspondence,  and  other  official  duties 
of  his  station,  in  an  inclement  season,  and  though  his  quarters 
were  several  miles  distant  from  the  main  encampment  at  New 
Windsor,  he  was  punctual  at  the  temple  on  the  Sabbath 
day.  This  regard  for  the  Sabbath  and  public  worship,  he  con- 
tinued afterwards,  and  proved  by  his  example  and  influence,  the 
sincerity  of  his  public  and  official  declarations.  So  far  from 
grudging  one  day  in  seven  for  the  purposes  of  cherishing  religion 
— by  proclamation  from  the  President,  the  19th  of  February, 
1796,  was  directed  to  be  observed  throughout  the  United  States, 
as  a  day  of  religious  thanksgiving." 

It  is  also  said  of  him,  that  his  private  devotions  and  prayers 
to  Almighty  God,  during  our  struggle  for  liberty,  were  frequent 
and  fervent. 

"  During  the  winter  of  1777,  the  American  army  lay  encamped 


WASHINGTON  AND  FRANKLIN  NOT  INFIDELS.  269 

at  Valley  Forge.  It  was  a  trying  time  with  the  army  and  the 
country.  Prospects  were  much  against  our  success.  One  day 
a  Quaker  by  the  name  of  Potts  had  occasion  to  go  to  a  certain 
place,  which  led  him  through  a  large  grove  at  no  great  distance 
from  head-quarters.  As  he  was  proceeding  along,  he  thought 
he  heard  a  noise.  He  listened.  He  did  hear  the  sound  of  a  hu- 
man voice  at  some  distance,  but  quite  indistinctly.  As  it  was 
in  the  direct  course  he  was  pursuing,  he  went  on,  but  with 
some  caution.  Occasionally  he  paused  and  listened,  and  with 
increased  conviction  that  he  heard  some  one.  At  length  he 
came  within  sight  of  a  man,  whose  back  was  turned  towards 
him,  on  his  knees,  in  the  attitude  of  prayer.  It  was  a  secluded 
spot ;  a  kind  of  natural  bower ;  but  it  was  the  house  of  prayer. 
Potts  now  stopped,  partly  leaned  forward,  and  watched  till  who- 
ever it  might  be  was  through  his  devotions.  This  was  not  long. 
And  whom  should  he  now  see  but  Washington  himself,  the 
commander  of  the  American  armies,  returning  from  bending 
prostrate  before  the  God  of  armies  above  ! 

"  Potts  himself  was  a  pious  man.  He  knew  the  power  of 
prayer ;  and  no  sooner  had  he  reached  home,  than  in  the  ful- 
ness of  his  faith,  he  broke  forth  lo  his  wife  Sarah  in  the  language 
of  a  watchman  :  '  Wife  !  Sarah  ! !  my  dear,  all's  well !  all's 
well !  Yes,  George  Washington  is  sure  to  beat  the  British — 
sure  .''  '  What,  what's  the  matter  with  thee,  Isaac  V  replied 
the  startled  Sarah.  '  Thee  seems  to  be  moved  about  something.' 
'  Well,  and  what  if  I  am  moved ;  who  would  not  be  moved  at 
such  a  sight  as  I  have  seen  to-day.'  '  And  what  hast  thou  seen, 
Isaac  V  '  Seen !  I've  seen  a  man  at  prayer  !— in  the  woods  ! 
.GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  himself !— and  now  I  say— just 
what  I  have  said— All's  well ;  George  Washington  is  sure  to 
beat  the  British — sure .''  " — Anecdotes  of  Washington. 

"  In  the  exalted  station  of  President,  his  conduct  continued  to 
be  distinguished  by  the  same  uniform  and  punctual  observance 
of  religious  duties  which  had  always  marked  his  life.  As  he 
was  chiefly  resident  in  Philadelphia  during  the  eight  years  of 
his  administration,  he  had  a  pew  in  Christ  church  of  that  city, 
of  which  the  venerable  Bishop  White  was  then  the  Rector. 
During  all  the  time  he  was  in  the  government,  Washington  was 
23* 


270  THE   SABBATH. 

punctual  in  his  attendance  oa  divine  worship.  His  pew  was 
seldom  vacant  when  the  weather  would  permit  him  to  attend. 
In  regard  to  his  hahit  at  that  time,  the  living  grandson  of  Mrs. 
Washington,  George  W.  P.  Custis,  Esq.  of  Arlington,  bears  the 
following  testimony :  '  On  Sundays,  unless  the  weather  was  un- 
commonly severe,  the  President  and  Mrs.  Washington  attended 
divine  service  at  Christ  church  ;  and  in  the  evenings  the  Presi- 
dent read  to  Mrs.  Washington,  in  her  chamber,  a  sermon,  or 
some  portion  from  the  sacred  writings.' 

"  It  may  here  be  added,  simply  as  evidence  of  his  devotional 
habits,  that  he  always  said  grace  at  table.  In  one  instance, 
from  the  force  of  habit,  he  performed  this  duty  himself  when  a 
clergyman  was  present — an  instance  of  indecorum  very  unusual 
with  him.  Being  told,  after  the  clergyman's  departure,  of  the 
incivility,  he  expressed  his  regret  at  the  oversight,  but  added, 
'  the  reverend  gentleman  will,  at  least,  be  assured,  that  we  are 
not  entirely  graceless  at  Mount  Vernon.'  " 

"  In  the  year  1820,  a  clergyman  of  this  State  being  in  com- 
pany with  Major  ,  a  relative  of  General  Washington, 

had  an  accidental  conversation  with  him  on  the  subject  of 
Christianity.  An  inquiry  was  made  of  the  Major,  as  to  the 
religious  opinions  of  his  distinguished  kinsman.  This  was 
done  in  part,  as  knowing  his  veneration  for  Washington,  and 
for  information,  too,  as  he  had  been  captain  of  the  General's 
body  guard,  during  a  greater  part  of  the  war,  and  possessed  the 
best  opportunities  of  learning  his  views  and  habits.  In  answer 
to  the  question,  he  observed,  after  hesitating  for  a  moment* 
'  General  Washington  was  certainly  a  pious  man,  his  opinions 
being  in  favor  of  religion,  and  his  habits  all  of  that  character 
and  description.'  But  being  further  interrogated  as  to  his  habits 
he  replied,  that  his  uncle,  he  knew,  was  in  the  habit  of  praying 
in  private — and  with  the  animation  of  an  old  soldier,  excited  by 
professional  recollections,  rather  than  sympathy  with  the  sub- 
ject, he  related  the  circumstances  of  the  following  occurrence, 
while  encamped  at ,  N.  J.  'A  soldier  arrived  one  morn- 
ing, about  daybreak,  with  dispatches  for  the  Commander-in- 
ehief,  from  a  distant  division  of  the  army.  As  soon  as  his  busi- 
ness was  known,  he  was  directed  to  me  as  captain  of  the  body 


WASHINGTON   AND  FEANKLIN  NOT   INFIDELS.  271 

guard,  to  whom  he  came  forthwith,  and  giving  me  his  papers,  I 
repaired  at  once  to  the  General's  quarters.  On  my  way  to  his 
room,  after  reaching  the  house,  I  had  to  go  along  a  narrow 
passage  of  some  length.  As  I  approached  his  door,  it  being  yet 
nearly  dark,  I  was  arrested  by  the  sound  of  a  voice.  I  paused 
and  listened  for  a  moment,  when  I  distmguished  it  as  the 
General's  voice,  and  in  another  moment  found  that  he  was 
engaged  in  audible  prayer.  As,  in  his  earnestness,  he  had  not 
heard  my  footsteps,  or,  if  he  heard  me,  did  not  choose  to  be 
interrupted,  I  retired  to  the  front  of  the  dwelling,  till  such  time 
as  I  supposed  him  unengaged,  when,  returning,  and  no  longer 
hearing  his  voice,  I  knocked  at  the  door,  which  being  promptly 
opened,  I  delivered  the  dispatches,  received  an  answer,  and 
dismissed  the  soldier.' 

"  How  impressive  an  example  of  sincere  devotion  have  we 
here  I  The  leader  of  our  armies,  though  oppressed  with  cares 
and  labors,  an  imequalled  burden,  yet  forsakes  his  friendly  couch 
at  the  dawn  of  day,  and  upon  his  knees,  '  cries  unto  God  with 
his  voice.'  He  is  not  content  with  unuttered  prayer.  His  earn- 
estness seeks  its  natural  vent  in  audible  and  articulate  sounds." 

But  this  is  the  man,  and  this  is  the  religion  which  our  object- 
ors slander  and  oppose.  Who  but  infidels,  deists,  and  Sabbath- 
breakers  could  do  it  ? 

FRANKLIN. 

When  the  delegates  were  met  in  Convention,  at  Philadelphia, 
in  May,  1787,  to  form  a  Constitution  for  the  United  States,  their 
councils  were  in  a  measure  distracted,  and  some  warmth  and 
acrimonious  feeling  were  manifested.  It  was  in  this  state  of 
things  that  Dr.  Franklin  rose  and  made  the  following  remarks  : — 

"  Mr.  President, — The  small  progress  we  have  made,  after 
four  or  five  weeks'  close  attendance,  and  continual  reasonings 
with  each  other,  our  different  sentiments  on  almost  every  ques- 
tion, several  of  the  last  producing  as  many  7ioes  as  ayes,  is,  me- 
thinks,  a  melancholy  proof  of  the  imperfection  of  the  human 
understanding.  We  mdeed  seem  to  feel  our  own  want  of  po- 
litical wisdom,  since  we  have  been  running  all  about  in  search 
of  it.    We  have  gone  back  to  ancient  history  for  models  of 


272  THE   SABBATH. 

government,  and  examined  the  different  forms  of  those  republics 
which,  having  originally  been  formed  with  the  seeds  of  their 
own  dissolution,  now  no  longer  exist,  and  we  have  viewed 
modern  states  all  round  Europe,  but  tind  none  of  their  consti- 
tutions suitable  to  our  circumstances. 

"  In  this  situation  of  this  Assembly,  groping,  as  it  were,  in  the 
dark,  to  find  political  truth,  and  scarce  able  to  distinguish  it 
when  presented  to  us,  how  has  it  happened,  sir,  that  we  have 
not  hitherto  once  thought  of  humbly  applying  to  the  Father  of 
lights  to  illuminate  our  understandings  ?  In  the  beginning  of 
the  contest  with  Britain,  when  we  were  sensible  of  danger,  we 
had  daily  prayers  in  this  room  for  the  Divine  protection.  Our 
prayers,  sir,  were  heard,  and  they  were  graciously  answered. 
All  of  us  who  were  engaged  in  the  struggle,  must  have  ob- 
served frequent  instances  of  a  superintending  providence  in  our 
favor.  To  that  kind  providence  we  owe  this  happy  opportu- 
nity of  consulting  in  peace  on  the  means  of  establishing  our 
iiiture  national  felicity.  And  have  we  now  forgotten  that 
powerful  friend  ?  or  do  we  imagine  that  we  no  longer  need 
his  assistance  ?  I  have  lived,  sir,  a  long  time,  and  the  longer 
I  live,  the  more  convincing  proofs  I  see  of  this  truth,  that 
God  governs  in  the  affairs  of  men.  And  if  a  sparrow  cannot 
fall  to  the  ground  without  his  notice,  is  it  probable  that  an 
empire  can  rise  without  his  aid  ?  We  have  been  assured,  sir, 
in  the  sacred  Avritings,  that  '  except  the  Lord  build  the  house, 
they  labor  in  vain  who  build  it.'  I  firmly  believe  this ;  and  I 
also  believe  that  without  His  concurring  aid  we  shall  succeed 
in  this  political  building  no  better  than  the  builders  of  Babel; 
we  shall  be  divided  by  our  little,  partial,  local  interests ;  our 
projects  will  be  confounded,  and  we  ourselves  shall  become  a 
reproach  and  a  by-word  doAvn  to  future  ages.  And,  what  is 
worse,  mankind  may,  hereafter,  from  this  unfortunate  instance, 
despair  of  establishing  government  by  human  wisdom,  and 
leave  it  to  chance,  war,  and  conquest. 

"I  therefore  beg  leave  to  move  that,  henceforth,  prayers,  im- 
ploring the  assistance  of  heaven,  and  its  blessing  on  our  delibe- 
rations, be  held  in  this  Assembly  every  morning  before  we  pro- 
ceed to  business ;   and  that  one  or  more  of  the  clergy  of  this 


WASHINGTON   AND   FRANKLIN   NOT   INFIDELS.  273 

city  be  requested  to  officiate  in  that  service." — Sparks^  Edition 
of  Franklin's  Works. 

They  then  adjourned.  When  they  again  met  they  had  pray- 
ers, and  there  was  no  difficulty  in  prosecuting  their  work.  Does 
this  movement  of  Franklin's  look  like  infidelity  ? 

At  another  time  he  was  not  ashamed  to  avow  that  he  "  be- 
lieved in  the  providence  of  God,  as  governing  the  world;  that 
the  Constitution  was  influenced,  guided,  and  governed  by  that 
Oimiipotent,  Omnipresent,  and  beneficent  Ruler,  in  whom  all 
inferior  spirits  live,  and  move,  and  have  their  being ;  and  that 
public  prayers  to  God,  by  national  bodies,  were  appropriate  and 
necessary."  This  does  not  look  like  the  language  of  an  anti- 
christian  man.  But  Dr.  Franklin  tells  us,  that  when  he  was  fif- 
teen years  of  age,  he  was  sceptical,  and  doubted  revelation  itself, 
though  he  was  educated  a  Calvinist,  and  had  pii)us  parents. 
He  then  read  some  volumes  against  deism,  and  they,  strange  as 
it  may  appear,  made  him  a  perfect  deist.  He  says — "  My 
arguments  perverted  some  other  young  persons,  particularly 
Collins  and  Ralph.  But  in  the  sequel,  when  I  recollected  that 
they  had  both  used  me  extremely  ill,  without  the  smallest  re- 
morse ;  when  I  considered  the  behavior  of  Keith,  another  free- 
thinker, and  my  own  conduct  towards  Vernon  and  Miss  Reed, 
which,  at  times,  gave  me  great  uneasiness,  I  was  led  to  suspect 
this  doctrine ;  though  it  might  be  true,  it  was  not  very  useful. 

"  Revelation,  indeed,  as  such,  had  no  influence  on  my  mind ; 
but  I  was  of  opinion,  that  though  certain  actions  could  not  be 
bad,  merely  because  revelation  had  prohibited  them,  or  good, 
because  it  enjoined  them,  yet  it  was  probable  that  those  actions 
were  prohibited  because  they  were  bad  for  us,  or  enjoined  be- 
cause advantageous  in  their  nature,  all  things  considered.  This 
persuasion,  divine  Providence,  or  some  guardian  angel,  and, 
perhaps,  a  concurrence  of  favorable  circumstances  operating, 
preserved  me  from  all  immorality.  *  *  *  I  may  say  vo' 
luntary,  because  the  errors  into  which  I  had  fallen,  had  been 
in  a  manner,  the  forced  result,  either  of  my  own  mexperience, 
or  the  dishonesty  of  others.  Thus,  before  I  entered  on  my  own 
new  career,  I  had  imbibed  solid  principles,  and  a  character  of 
probity." 


274  THE   SABBATH. 

These  were  the  views  of  the  hoy  Franklin,  at  the  age  of 
fifteen. 

At  the  commencement  of  his  life,  written  by  himself,  we 
hear  him  exclaiming — and  this  he  tells  us  was  written  in  his 
old  age — 

"  And  here  let  me,  with  all  humility,  acknowledge,  that  to  a 
divine  Providence  I  am  indebted  for  the  felicity  I  have  hitherto 
enjoyed.  It  is  that  power  alone  which  has  furnished  me  with 
the  means  I  have  employed,  and  that  has  crowned  me  with 
success.  My  faith,  in  this  respect,  leads  me  to  hope,  though  I 
cannot  count  upon  it,  that  the  divine  goodness  will  still  be 
exercised  toward  me.  *  *  *  My  future  fortune  is  unknown 
but  to  Him  in  whose  hand  is  our  destiny,  and  who  can  make 
our  very  afflictions  subservient  to  our  benefit."    *     *     * 

Just  before  his  death,  it  is  said  of  him  : 

"  During  this  state,  when  the  severity  of  his  pains  sometimes 
drew  forth  a  groan  of  complaint,  he  would  observe  that  he  was 
afraid  he  did  not  bear  them  as  he  ought,  acknowledging  his 
grateful  sense  of  the  many  blessings  he  had  received  from  that 
Supreme  Being  who  had  raised  him  frum  small  and  low  begin- 
nings, to  such  high  rank  and  consideration  among  men.  And 
he  had  no  doubt  these  afflictions  were  intended  to  wean  him 
from  this  world." 

Franklin's  Epitaph. — The  following  epitaph  was  written 
by  himself,  many  years  previous  to  his  death  : 

"  The  Body  of  Benjamin  FranJcUn,  Printer,  (like  the  cover  of 
an  old  book,  its  contents  torn  out,  and  stripped  of  its  lettering 
and  gilding,)  lies  here  food  for  worms.  Yet  the  work  itself 
shall  not  be  lost,  for  it  will  (as  he  believed,)  appear  once  more 
in  a  new  and  more  beautiful  edition,  corrected  and  amended  by 
the  Author." 

Is  this  deism,  infidelity,  atheism,  and  anti-christianity  1  If 
so,  it  is  not  like  the  language  of  anti-christian  men  at  the  pre- 
sent day :  for,  in  the  epitaph  is  recognized  the  doctrine  of  the 
separation  of  soul  and  body  at  death ;  the  resurrection  and  per- 
fection of  both ;  and  the  superintending  providence  and  almighty 
power  of  the  Lord,  Jehovah.  On  what  did  Franklin  found 
these  opinions,  if  not  on  the  revelation  made  in  the  Holy  Bible  ? 


WASHINGTON  AND   FRANKLIN  NOT  INFIDELS.  275 

Franklin,  if  he  were  anti-christian,  was  a  hypocrite.  We  invite 
all  those  who  would  detract  from  the  moral  and  religious  cha- 
racter of  Dr.  Franklin,  and  extinguish  the  light  of  the  Christian 
religion  and  the  Sabbath,  to  read  the  following  letter,  pub- 
lished in  the  New- York  Observer,  it  being  as  appropriate  to 
such  as  it  was  to  Thomas  Paine. 

franklin's  letter   to   PAINE. 

The  tract,  Doyi't  Unchain  the  Tiger,  (No.  280  of  the  Ameri- 
can Tract  Society,)  written  by  Rev.  William  Wisner,  contains 
the  following  extract,  purporting  to  be  from  a  letter  of  Dr. 
Franklin  to  Thomas  Paine,  on  his  submitting  to  him  his  Age 
of  Reason,  in  manuscript :  "  I  would  advise  you  not  to  attempt 
unchaining  the  tiger,  but  to  burn  this  piece  before  it  is  seen  by 
any  other  person.  If  men  are  so  wicked  with  religion,  what 
would  they  be  without  it  ?" 

It  has  been  stoutly  denied  by  infidels,  that  Franklin  ever  wrote 
such  a  letter,  especially  on  the  ground  that  Franklin  died  before 
the  Age  of  Reason  was  published.  This  has  led  to  the  inquiry 
whether  the  letter  be  genuine ;  and  the  reply  is,  it  is  found  in 
the  London  edition  of  Franklin's  works,  by  his  grandson,  Wm. 
T.  Franklin,  vol.  iii.  page  279  ;  in  Duane's  Philadelphia  edition, 
vol.  vi.  page  243  ;  and  McCarty  and  Davis'  Philadelphia  edition 
of  his  Memoirs,  1834,  vol.  i.  page  623 ;  and  is  as  follows  ; 

[without  date.] 
a  'Pq  #  *   # 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  have  read  your  manuscript  with  some  atten- 
tion. By  the  argument  which  it  contains  against  a  particular 
Providence,  though  you  allow  a  general  Providence,  you  strike 
at  the  foundations  of  all  religion.  For,  without  the  belief  of  a 
Providence,  that  takes  cognizance  of,  guards,  and  guides,  and 
may  favor  particular  persons,  there  is  no  motive  to  worship  a 
Deity,  to  fear  its  displeasure,  or  to  pray  for  its  protection.  I  will 
not  enter  into  any  discussion  of  your  principles,  though  you  seem 
to  desire  it.  At  present,  I  shall  only  give  you  my  opinion,  that 
though  your  reasonings  are  subtle,  and  may  prevail  with  some 
readers,  you  will  not  succeed  so  as  to  change  the  general  senti- 


276  THE  SABBATH. 

merits  of  mankind  on  that  subject;  and  the  consequence  of  print- 
ings this  piece  will  be,  ai^reatdcal  of  odium  drawn  upon  yourself, 
mischief  to  you,  and  no  benefit  to  others.  He  that  spits  against 
the  wind,  spits  in  his  own  face.  But  were  you  to  succeed,  do 
you  imagine  any  good  will  be  done  by  it  ?  You  yourself  may 
find  it  easy  to  live  a  virtuous  life  without  the  assistance  afforded 
by  religion ;  you  having  a  clear  perception  of  the  advantages  of 
virtue  and  the  disadvantages  of  vice,  and  possessing  a  strength  of 
resolution  sufficient  to  enable  you  to  resist  common  temptations. 
But  tliink  how  great  a  portion  of  mankind  consists  of  ignorant 
men  and  women,  and  of  inexperienced,  inconsiderate  youth  of 
both  sexes,  who  have  need  of  the  motives  of  religion  to  restrain 
them  from  vice,  support  their  virtue,  and  retain  them  in  the  prac- 
tice of  it,  till  it  becomes  habitual,  which  is  the  great  point  for  its 
security.  And,  perhaps,  you  are  indebted  to  her  originally,  that 
is,  to  your  religious  education  j  for  the  habits  of  virtue  upon  which 
you  now  justly  value  yourself.  You  might  easily  display  your 
excellent  talents  of  reasoning  upon  a  less  hazardous  subject,  and 
thereby  obtain  a  rank  with  our  most  distinguished  authors.  For 
among  us  it  is  not  necessary,  as  among  the  Hottentots,  that  a 
youth,  to  be  raised  into  the  company  of  men,  should  prove  his 
manhood  by  beating  his  mother.  I  would  advise  you,  therefore, 
not  to  attempt  unchaining  the  tiger,  but  to  burn  this  piece  be- 
fore it  is  seen  by  any  other  person  ,*  whereby  you  will  save  your- 
self a  great  deal  of  mortification  from  the  enemies  it  may  raise 
against  you,  and,  perhaps,  a  good  deal  of  regret  and  repentance. 
"  If  men  are  so  wicked  with  religion,  what  would  they  be  with- 
out it?  I  intend  this  letter  itself  as  a  proof  of  my  friendship, 
and  therefore  add  no  professions  to  it,  but  subscribe,  simply, 
"  Yours, 

"B.  Franklin." 

As  to  the  authenticity  of  this  letter,  a  literary  gentleman,  who 
has  been  unwearied  in  collecting  the  original  documents,  &c.  of 
Dr.  Franklin,  says,  evidently  with  great  propriety: 

"  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  the  letter  was  written  by  Dr. 
Franklin. — 1.  Because  it  was  published  by  his  grandson,  in  his 
edition  of  Dr.  Franklin's  works. — 2.  Because  the  style  and  turn 


FRANKLIN  NOT  AN  INFIDEL.  277 

of  expression  have  some  of  the  marked  peculiarities  of  Frank- 
lin.—3.  Because  the  idea  of  a  'particular  Providence,'  con- 
tained in  the  letter,  is  precisely  such  as  he  advances  in  other 
parts  of  his  writings.  It  was  a  favorite  topic,  upon  which  he 
wrote  one  of  his  best  essays. 

"  The  tradition  that  it  was  addressed  to  Paine,"  says  the  same 
gentleman,  "  is  not  improbable.  The  first  infidel  work  published 
by  him,  I  believe,  was  the  'Age  of  Reason.'  This  did  not  appear 
till  after  Franklin's  death  :  but  the  author  seems  to  hint,  in  his 
preface,  that  pans  had  been  written  for  some  time.  Franklin 
returned  to  Europe  in  the  summer  of  1785,  and  Paine  did  not  go 
to  France  till  more  than  a  year  afterwards.  Witliin  this  space, 
therefore,  he  might  have  shown  to  Franklin  a  sketch  or  outline 
of  his  intended  publication,  the  perusal  of  which  may  have  drawn 
forth  the  letter  in  question.  But  whether  the  letter  was  ad- 
dressed to  Paine  or  not  is  of  small  moment,  as  it  does  not  affect 
its  intrinsic  merits."  W.  A.  H. 

The  following  particulars  respecting  Thomas  Paine,  from 
Cheetham  and  Sherwin's  life  of  him,  will  be  of  interest  and  im- 
portance in  this  connection. 

"  Thomas  Paine  was  born  at  Thetford,  in  Norfolk,  in  1737. 
Came  to  Philadelphia,  on  the  invitation  of  Benjamin  Franklin, 
in  1774.  In  1787  he  embarked  for  France,  and  visited  Paris ; 
then  went  to  England.  The  second  part  of  his  Rights  of  Man 
was  published  May  21,  1792.  Arrived  in  France  Sept.,  1792. 
Just  before  his  confinement,  in  France,  which,  (as  some  say, 
was  December,  1793,)  he  finished  the  first  part  of  the  Age 
of  Reason ;  confided  it  to  the  care  of  his  friend  Joel  Barlow ; 
and  it  was  published.  After  the  fall  of  Robespierre  he  was 
released,  and,  in  1795,  published,  at  Paris,  the  second  part  of 
his  Age  of  Reason.  Others  fix  the  date  of  the  publication  of 
the  first  part  in  1795,  and  of  the  second  in  1796.  He  remained 
in  France  until  August,  1802,  when  he  embarked  for  America, 
and  reached  Baltimore  the  October  following.  Died  June  8th, 
1809,  in  his  73d  year." 

Paine  probably  wrote  a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  Age  of  Reason 
while  on  his  first  visit  to  America,  between  the  years  1774  and 
24 


278  THE  SABBATH. 

1787.  It  must  have  been  during  this  time  that  the  manuscript 
was  shown  to  Dr.  Franklin,  who  advised  him  not  to  publish  it : 
in  consequence  of  which  advice,  probably,  its  appearance  was 
deferred  until  after  the  death  of  Franklin.  Paine  came  to  Ame- 
rica on  the  invitation  of  Franklin.  Their  acquaintance  was  inti- 
mate, and  nothing  was  more  probable  than  that  Paine  showed 
Franklin  his  work  and  asked  his  advice — after  which  he  would 
have  little  inclination  to  publish  it  during  Franklin's  life,  since  he 
had  passed  such  severe  sentence  of  condemnation  upon  it.  Though 
Franklin  was  not  in  America,  but  a  part  of  1775  and  1776,  part 
of  1785,  and  until  Paine  left,  in  1787,  yet  he  was  here  sufficiently 
long,  during  Paine's  first  stay,  to  have  frequent  interviews  with 
him ;  as,  in  fact,  he  actually  had.  Paine,  then,  as  may  be  seen 
by  the  above  account,  did  not  write  the  whole  of  his  Age  of  Rea- 
son while  in  prison  in  Paris,  though  he  might  have  re-written 
and  revised  it  there. 

Though  the  reasonings  of  infidels  and  deists,  therefore,  may 
be  "  subtle,"  and  calculated  to  deceive  many  on  this  subject,  and 
though  they  may  claim  the  names  of  distinguished  men,  yet  they 
cannot  blot  out  the  Sabbath,  any  more  than  they  can  destroy  the 
Christian  religion.  They  are  twin  sisters,  which  must  and  will 
go  together ;  and  they  are  immortal.  Infidels  and  wicked  men 
may  persecute  them,  and  drive  them  from  city  to  city,  and  from 
one  country  to  another;  or,  for  a  time,  drive  them  into  seclusion; 
but  they  will  still  live,  and  their  influence  will  continue  to  spread, 
until  it  is  felt  around  the  globe. 

Objection  XV. — ^You  will  provoke  Persecution,  should  your 
sentiments  on  Sabhath-hredking  be  generally  known. 

Wicked,  anti-christian  men  say,  if  these  views  relative  to  the 
Sabbath  reform  should  become  generally  known,  and  be  carried 
out,  they  would  lead  to  bitter  and  bloody  persecutions.  What 
if  they  do?  That  would  no  more  prove  these  views  to  be  wrong, 
than  the  persecutions  in  the  days  of  Moses,  Elijah,  Jeremiah, 
Isaiah,  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  apostles  and  martyrs,  against  those 
good  men,  proved  that  they  were  wrong.  Opposition  to  any 
cause  is  no  evidence  that  it  is  unjust.  But,  as  the  Bible  is  true, 
wherever  an  attempt  is  made  to  reclaim  men  from  the  thraldom 


PERSECUTION.  279 

of  sin,  there  will  always  be  opposition  to  it ;  and  persecution, 
just  in  proportion  to  the  magnitude  of  the  evil,  and  the  holy  zeal, 
perseverance,  and  ability,  which  are  brought  to  bear  against  the 
sm.  The  best  men,  engaged  in  the  best  of  causes,  have  seen 
and  felt  this  to  be  true.  From  the  well-known  influence  of  cor- 
rupt propensities  and  long-cherished  sin ;  from  the  amount  of 
infidelity,  atheism,  ignorance,  and  enmity  to  all  good,  in  our 
land,  we  expect,  if  any  attempt  is  made  to  remove  these  evils, 
and  wrest  this  people  from  the  hands  of  the  destroyer,  there  will 
be  a  terrible  opposition  from  anti-christian  men,  which  may  re- 
sult in  much  waste  of  blood  and  human  life.  The  blood  of  good 
men,  on  all  similar  occasions,  has  flowed,  and  will  flow  again, 
before  this  world  is  redeemed  unto  Jesus  Christ. 

Nevertheless,  righteousness  and  peace  will  ultimately  prevail. 
God,  the  mighty  God,  will  not  always  suffer  his  law  to  be  tram- 
pled in  the  dust  by  infidels,  and  his  gospel  to  be  despised  with 
impunity;  nor  his  faithful  followers  to  lie  bleeding  in  the  streets. 
He  is  about  to  rise  and  take  to  himself  his  great  power ;  and 
though  a  tremendous  battle  may  be  fought  before  his  children 
gain  the  victory ;  and  though  many  of  them  may  fall  in  the  con- 
test, from  their  ashes  and  their  blood  will  arise  an  exceeding 
great  army,  which  will  easily  put  to  flight  all  the  enemies  of 
the  Sabbath  and  of  our  religion.  A  day  of  triumph  to  God's 
people  will  surely  come. 

ADDRESS  TO  FEMALES. 

If  there  be  a  single  female  in  all  Christendom  who  can  look 
with  the  least  complacency  on  the  efi'orts  of  anti-christian  and 
anti-sabbath  men,  let  her  remember  that  the  Sabbath-breaker 
is  laboring  most  effectively  to  reduce  the  whole  sex  to  that  state 
of  degradation,  misery,  and  bondage,  which  may  be  seen  in  those 
lands  where  the  influence  of  the  Christian  religion  and  the  light 
of  the  Sabbath  are  not  known :  and  that  he  needs  but  indiffer- 
ence on  her  part  to  accomplish  his  object  with  certainty. 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  Sermon  to  Youth,  by  Rev. 
A.  D.  Eddy, 

ON  INFIDELITY. 

"  It  is  a  source  of  pleasure,  that  we  are  required  to  address  but 


280  THE   SABBATH. 

one  class  of  our  youth  on  the  subject  of  infidelity.  From  this 
delusion  and  madness  the  female  sex  have  generally  stood  ex- 
empt. Whenever  they  have  fallen  from  the  high  stand  that 
Christianity  assigns  them,  to  the  level  of  scepticism,  they  have 
become  disrobed  of  their  dignity  and  virtue,  alike  a  disgrace  to 
their  sex,  and  monsters  in  society. 

"  It  is  alone  almost  sufficient  to  justify  the  peculiar  blessings 
with  which  Christianity  has  crowned  the  female  sex,  that  they 
were  never  found  in  opposition  to  its  incarnate  Author.  '  He 
had  something  to  do  for  women,  which  should  at  once  emanci- 
pate them  from  human  impositions,  and  equalize  them  in  divine 
"privileges.  *  *  *  None  of  them  appear  to  have  been  amongst 
his  public  enemies,  either  during  his  life  or  at  his  crucifixion. 
Even  Pilate's  wife  warned  her  husband,  on  the  judgment-seat,  to 
have  nothing  to  do  against  that  'just  person.'  In  like  manner, 
the  multitude  of  women  who  followed  the  Savior  from  the  city 
to  Calvary,  instead  of  joining  with  the  men  in  the  crj^  of  Cru- 
cify him ! '  bewailed  and  lamented  him.  Indeed,  there  is  no  in- 
stance of  any  female  offering  any  public  indignity  to  Christ 
while  he  was  on  earth. 

*  Not  she,  with  traitorous  kiss,  her  Savior  stung ; 
Not  she  denied  him  with  unholy  tongue; 
She,  while  Apostles  shrank,  could  dangers  brave  ; 
Last  at  the  cross,  and  earliest  at  the  grave !' 

"  Religion  has  borrowed  many  of  her  brightest  ornaments  from 
the  female  sex,  and  uniformly  poured  upon  them  the  choicest  of 
her  stores ;  and  long  may  it  continue  to  be  alike  their  disgrace 
and  ruin,  to  despise  and  reject  the  religion  of  heaven  !" 

Look  at  the  history  of  all  anti-christian  people  and  heathen 
nations,  and  learn  what  woman,  without  the  influence  of  Chris- 
tianity, is  doomed  to  be  :  then  never  for  a  moment  give  counte- 
nance to  sentiments  like  our  objectors',  who  would  prejudice  the 
minds  of  the  people  against  the  Sabbath,  for  they  are  the  worst 
enemies  of  your  sex.     Christianity  alone  can  elevate  woman. 

View  with  indifference  or  complacency  such  conduct,  and,  in 
a  few  years,  you  and  your  daughters  may  know,  by  painful  ex- 
perience, the  effects  of  infidelity  and  Sabbath-breaking  upon  your 


LABORING  POOR.  281 

domestic  happiness  and  future  prospects.  Beware,  then,  we 
entreat  you,  lest  you  be  found  preparing  the  way  for  your  own 
bondage,  and  the  destruction  of  all  that  is  amiable,  virtuous, 
lovely,  and  desirable  in  the  female  character,  by  giving  your 
sanction  to  such  impious  sentiments. 

LABORING   POOR. 

To  the  laboring  poor  let  us  say, — Infidels  and  deists,  (and  all 
opposed  to  the  Sabbath  we  class  under  this  head,)  would  wrest 
from  you  your  best  friend ;  for  the  Sabbath  is  emphatically  "  the 
poor  man's  friend."  They  rri3.Y  pretend  to  be  your  friends,  but 
they  are  not.  Satan  pretended  to  be  the  friend  of  Eve,  until  he 
had  ruined  our  race ;  and  he  feigned  great  friendship  and  con- 
cern for  our  Savior,  lest  he  should  sufier  hunger.  Remember, 
Sabbath-breakers  are  against  God,  his  Bible,  and  his  Sabbath ; 
and  rather  than  these  should  be  honored  as  they  ought,  they 
would  ruin  their  father  and  mother,  their  brothers  and  sisters, 
and  the  whole  human  family.  As  you  value  liberty,  comfort, 
peace,  and  eternal  life,  do  not  believe  them. 

When  we  say  that  the  man  who  desecrates  the  Lord^s  day  is 
an  enemy  to  himself,  to  his  family,  his  neighborhood,  and  the 
world,  we  do  not  allude  to  those  who  sincerely  and  devoutly 
worship  God,  after  the  dictates  of  an  enlightened  conscience, 
and  who  strictly  observe  a  seventh  day  rest.  Such  we,  not  only 
in  this  place,  but  through  all  this  work,  mean  to  except. 

But  we  do  say,  that  that  individual  who  wantonly  and  habit- 
ually profanes  the  Sabbath,  or  observes  no  Sabbath,  is  a  danger- 
ous man  in  the  community.  His  example,  if  universally  follow- 
ed, would  blast  all  our  fair  prospects,  as  a  nation,  in  a  political 
point  of  view.  Such  men  are  not  only  enemies  to  our  republic 
and  our  religion,  but  they  are  enemies  to  their  own  best  inter- 
ests, and  to  mankind.  Past  history,  profane  and  sacred,  ecclesi- 
astical and  civil,  will  prove  this  assertion.  We  love  to  quote 
from  such  authors  as  the  following : 

"  Do  not  flatter  yourselves  that  pure  and  undefiled  religion  can 

be  preserved  a  single  month  after  the  Sabbath  is  gone ;  for  the 

house  of  God  will  be  immediately  shut  up,  or  thrown  down ; 

your  ministers  will  be  driven  from  the  altar ;  the  hallowed  fires 

24# 


282  THE  SABBATH. 

will  be  extinguished  on  all  the  heights  of  Zion ;  the  church  will 
be  clothed  in  sackcloth  ;  her  tears  will  be,  all  the  day  and  all  the 
night,  upon  her  cheeks ;  and  the  strings  of  her  harps,  upon  the 
willows,  will  be  swept  only  by  the  mournful  breezes  of  the  sur- 
rounding desolation." 

If  any  deny  that  this  is  the  legitimate  effect  of  giving  up  the 
Sabbath,  let  them  cast  their  eye  upon  that  chart  of  the  world, 
whose  lines  give  the  history  of  different  religions,  and  see  which 
nations  have  enjoyed  Christianity,  and  at  what  period  of  their 
existence,  and  which  have  not.  Then  turn  to  their  history,  and 
1  earn  a  lesson  which  would  make  the  infidel  and  deist  blush  and 
hide  their  heads,  but  for  their  hardened  impiety,  their  awful 
blindness,  and  their  determination  towards  ruin. 

SABBATH-BREAKING   PARENTS. 

In  the  language  of  Dr.  Humphrey,  we  say : — 

"  If  you  care  not  what  becomes  of  your  own  flesh ;  if  you  are 
willing  to  trust  the  keeping  of  their  morals  and  their  happiness 
to  the  wayward  propensities  of  unsanctified  nature;  if  you  covet 
from  them  disobedience,  neglect,  and  abuse  in  this  world,  their 
withering  testimony  at  the  bar  of  God,  and  their  bitter  execra- 
tions to  all  eternity,  then  let  them  profane  the  Lord's  day  as 
much  as  they  please ;  let  them  sport,  and  fish,  and  hunt,  and 
launch,  the  sail-boat,  and  lounge  in  the  tavern,  while  others  are 
in  the  church  and  the  Sabbath  school.  And  lest  they  should, 
after  all,  become  dissatisfied  with  the  broad  way,  encourage 
them  by  your  example.  Wander  about  your  farms,  *  *  * 
or  go  into  your  shops  and  counting-rooms  ;  or  travel  with  the 
mail,  under  the  sanction  of  government,  and  the  curse  of  Hea- 
ven ;  or  meet  your  companions  in  the  grog-shop,  or  on  the  sunny 
side  of  the  distillery.  Attend  every  anti-sabbath  meeting,  vote 
for  the  resolutions  and  sign  the  remonstrance.  Denounce  all  the 
Sabbath-keeping  boats  and  stages,  and  all  the  petitions  to  Con- 
gress, as  innovations  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  dangeroi^s 
to  the  liberties  of  the  country.  Such  a  cornrse  will  be  likely  to 
do  the  work  for  your  families  soon,  and  do  it  effectually.  It  wil' 
bring  you,  by  a  short  route,  to  the  brink  of  that  gulf,  into  which' 
you  may  plunge  in  vain  to  rescue  your  sons  and  daughters  from 
destruction." 


m 


CLOSING   APPEAL.  283 

CLOSING  APPEAL. 

"  Give  up  the  Sabbath— blot  out  that  orb  of  day— suspend  its 
blessed  attractions — and  the  reign  of  chaos  and  old  night  would 
return.  The  waves  of  an  unquiet  sea,  high  as  our  mountains, 
would  roll  and  dash,  from  west  to  east  and  east  to  west ;  from 
south  to  north  and  north  to  south,  shipwrecking  the  hopes  of 
patriots  and  the  world. 

"  Who  then  is  the  patriot  that  would  thrust  out  our  ship  from 
her  peaceful  moorings,  in  a  starless  night,  upon  such  an  ocean  of 
storms,  without  rudder  or  anchor,  compass  or  chart  ?  The  ele- 
ments around  us  may  remain,  and  our  giant  rivers  and  mountains. 
Our  miserable  descendants,  also,  may  multiply,  and  vegetate,  and 
rot,  in  moral  darkness  and  putrefaction.  But  the  American  cha- 
racter and  our  glorious  institutions,  will  go  down  into  the  same 
grave  that  entombs  the  Sabbath ;  and  our  epitaph  will  stand 
forth  a  warning  to  the  world." — Beecher. 

Look  at  this,  ye  Americans,  who  trample  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
quote  the  opposition  made  to  it  by  men  of  great  names  in  the 
Congress  of  these  United  States,  as  a  good  reason  why  they 
should  receive  the  highest  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  people.  Look 
at  this,  you  who  scoff  at,  ridicule,  and  calumniate  the  men  who 
would  rescue  this  day  from  its  awful  and  alarming  profanations ! 
As  surely  as  there  is  a  God  in  heaven,  this  nation  must  give  up 
its  opposition  to  the  Sabbath,  or  drink  deep  of  the  cup  of  his 
mdignation. 

We  cannot,  since  we  have  taken  the  Bible  for  our  guide,  do 
without  a  Sabbath,  as  well  as  those  nations  can  who  have  never 
heard  of  a  Bible. 

Our  social,  civil,  and  religious  blessings,  together  with  our 
literary,  scientific,  and  political  prosperity,  are  inseparably  con- 
nected with  a  due  observance  of  that  day.  Were  it  possible  for 
us,  as  a  people  and  a  nation  to  banish  forever  from  our  minds  all 
reverence  and  respect  for  that  institution,  still  the  day  would  not 
be  forgotten,  though  it  might  live  in  our  remembrance,  only  as  a 
day  of  pastime  and  pleasure,  every  way  tending  to  contaminate 
and  corrupt  the  morals  of  all.  If  we  do  not  keep  the  day  as  it 
ought  to  be  kept,  better  would  it  have  been  for  us  never  to  have 


284  THE  SABBATH. 

heard  of  a  day  of  rest  from  labor ;  better  to  toil  day  after  day, 
without  respite,  till  we  sink  into  the  grave. 

We  may  as  well  expect  to  live  holy  and  religious  lives,  with- 
out a  Bible  as  without  a  Sabbath.  But,  blessed  be  God,  "  there 
remaineth  unto  us  the  keeping  of  the  Sabbath."  There  is  a  Sab- 
bath for  the  Gentile  as  well  as  for  the  Jew ;  "  we  will  rejoice  in 
it  and  be  glad."  All  the  ten  commandments,  given  to  Moses, 
are  wise  and  good,  admirably  calculated  to  make  us  happy 
here  and  hereafter.  Since  God  is  also  our  creator,  we  would 
have  him  our  Governor  to  command ;  our  Father  to  hear  and 
answer  us  when  we  pray  unto  him ;  our  protector  and  our  guide ; 
and  his  heavenly  kingdom  our  everlasting  home. 

Let  us  for  a  moment  fancy  ourselves  awakened  from  the  slum- 
bers of  the  night,  and  visited  with  the  holy  and  sacred  stillness 
of  the  Sabbath.  "We  gather  together  the  whole  human  family, 
good  and  bad,  in  one  vast  amphitheatre.  The  eye  of  the  infinite 
Jehovah  is  fixed  on  every  individual ;  there  is  no  comer,  where 
any  one  can  hide  himself  from  the  all-searching  eye.  Man  is 
still  and  silent  before  his  God ;  he  dare  not  think  of  labor  or 
amusement,  nor  can  he  be  indifferent.  The  cattle  upon  a  thou- 
sand hills  are  at  rest,  and  a  death-like  stillness  pervades  the  uni- 
verse. 

"While  each  eye  is  fixed  on  its  Creator,  each  heart  beats  high 
with  anxious  hope  or  fear ;  all  are  listening  to  hear,  or  behold- 
ing ^to  admire ;  meditating  to  improve  and  praise.  Now  they 
are  addressed  by  Him,  who  has  summoned  them  to  attend,  and 
all,  saint  and  sinner,  are  commanded  to  hear  and  obey. 

Suppose  all  in  this  vast  assembly  to  feel  themselves  under 
every  possible  obligation  to  obey  the  fourth  commandment,  in  all 
its  length  and  breadth — to  do  no  work,  but  think  on  God  and  his 
wonderful  work  of  creation,  providence,  and  redemption — and  to 
meditate  on  the  object  of  probation,  on  heaven  and  hell,  one  of 
which  as  destined  to  be  their  eternal  home, — to  read  his  word, 
and  religious  devotional  books, — and  to  attend  on  the  services  of 
the  sanctuary.  In  this  attitude,  and  imder  these  circumstances, 
would  any  one  dare  turn  off  his  eye  or  his  mmd,  from  the  great 
Searcher  of  hearts,  and  say  to  his  neighbor  standing  by.  Sir,  can 
you  pay  me  that  note  ?    Will  you  labor  for  me  to-morrow  ?   Do 


CLOSING  APPEAL.  285 

you  intend  to  accompany  us  in  the  ride  ?  What  is  the  news  to- 
day ?  Will  you  vote  for  D.  and  F.  ?  How  do  you  like  that  per- 
son's dress  ?  What  are  the  newest  fashions?  The  same  search- 
ing eye  is  still  fixed  on  every  one  standing  in  his  presence.  The 
Sabbath  has  not  been  kept  holy  unto  the  end  of  it.  God  has  not 
dismissed  one  from  his  presence,  and  should  a  solitary  individual 
be  guilty  of  such  daring  impiety,  what  would  be  his  doom  ?  If 
a  man  were  so  to  lose  all  reverence,  love,  and  fear  of  the  charac- 
ter of  God,  while  thus  situated,  what  would  he  not  do,  when  he 
is  permitted  to  attend  to  the  lawful  concerns  of  this  world,  and 
feels  that  he  is  not  so  immediately  in  the  presence  and  under  the 
inspection  of  the  Searcher  of  hearts  ? 

He  who  can  do  this,  without  fear  or  remorse,  is  not  afraid,  lite- 
erally,  to  break  any  of  the  ten  commandments.  If  there  is  no 
probability  of  detection  by  man,  and  his  interest  and  desires  can 
be  promoted  by  it,  he  will  do  it.  Such  a  man  may  fear  a  fellow 
worm,  but  "  there  is  no  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes."  We  have 
long  thought  that  the  wanton  and  habitual  Sabbath-breaker,  if 
there  were  no  danger  of  his  being  detected  in  wickedness,  by  man  ; 
and  if  his  character  among  men,  and  his  property  would  not  suf- 
fer, would  be  prepared  for  any  crime.  There  are  no  terrors  for 
him  in  the  thunderings  and  lightnings  of  Sinai. 

It  may  be  thought  that  we  assume  too  high  a  tone.  But  if 
we  begin  do  little  things  on  the  Sabbath,  such  as  walking  our 
streets,  roaming  over  our  farms,  attending  unnecessarily  to  our 
flocks  and  herds ;  stepping  into  the  Postoffice,  reading  and  writ- 
ing letters  on  business,  perusing  literary,  historical,  and  political 
publications,  thinking  of  our  worldly  business,  doing  errands, 
speaking  of  fashions,  customs,  parties,  amusements  and  the  like, 
we  shall  gradually  come  to  do  more  and  more.  We  shall  soon 
argue  ourselves  into  the  belief,  that  it  is  necessary,  and  innocent^ 
to  do  many  things  on  that  day ;  such  as  traveling  for  pleasure  or 
on  business,  furnishing  conveyances,  and  making  our  cattle  work, 
and  the  stranger  within  our  gates ;  visiting,  and  bringing  up  our 
accounts ;  opening  and  putting  up  our  goods  with  closed  doors, 
taking  inventories,  making  out  writs,  filling  up  declarations; 
and  thus  shall  we,  by  and  by,  wholly  disregard  the  Sabbath. 

We  called  the  former  little  things.    May  God  pardon  the  im- 


286  THE  SABBATH. 

piety.  They  are  of  sufficient  magnitude,  if  habitually  indulged, 
to  call  down  the  wrath  and  indignation  of  a  holy  God.  The 
fourth  commandment  will  be  the  test  of  our  obedience.  The 
Sabbath  is  a  day  that  God  claims  for  his  service ;  and  self-grati- 
fication, or  worldly  gain  are  the  only  possible  inducements  men 
can  have  to  profane  it.  Will  it  be  taken  for  granted,  that  God 
can  look  with  indifference  upon  such  impious  and  high-handed 
rebellion  ?  We,  sinful  creatures,  seek  our  pleasure,  and  insult 
the  Being  who  feeds  and  sustains  us ;  and  who  alone  can  make 
our  blessings  sources  of  real  good  to  us !  What  if  we,  by  our  la- 
bors, on  that  day,  add  a  little  more  to  our  earthly  possessions  ? 
All  we  have,  or  can  have,  is  the  property  of  him  in  whose  hand 
our  breath  is,  and  who  has  said,  we  must  give  account  to  him  of 
our  stewardship;  and  he  may  say  to  us  this  night,  "  thou  mayest 
be  no  longer  steward." 

Ye  who  profane  the  Sabbath,  little  think  that  in  no  other  way 
can  your  guilt  accumulate  so  fast ;  and  by  no  other  means  can 
you  make  such  rapid  strides  to  hell.  Go  on  a  little  longer,  and 
your  cup  of  wrath  will  be  full,  to  be  poured  upon  you  without 
mixture.  A  little  more,  and  you  will  be  wailing  in  the  bottom- 
less pit. 

Oh,  this  day,  this  blessed  day,  must  be  kept  holy.  All,  whether 
saint  or  sinner,  need  such  a  day ;  we  need  the  exercises  which 
are  appropriate  to  it,  in  view  of  those  awful  considerations,  and 
realities,  with  which  we  must  soon  be  familiar. 

The  principal  reason  why  bad  men  array  themselves  against 
this  day,  is,  that  they  well  know,  if  they  can  blot  out  the  Sab- 
bath, the  world  will  soon  be  without  even  the  form  of  godliness. 
Their  efforts  against  this  day,  arise  from  a  deadly  hostility  to 
the  religion  of  the  Bible  :  and  if  they  have  any  religion  them- 
selves, it  can  be  no  better  than  that  of  the  Mohammedan,  or 
pagan  ;  and  their  morality,  if  they  have  any,  is  founded  on,  and 
measured  by,  the  opinions  and  maxims  of  men.  By  their  efforts, 
they  would  bind  the  poor  in  chains  of  ignorance,  despotism,  and 
moral  death ;  rob  our  independence  of  its  only  mainsprmg,  our 
nation  of  its  sheet  anchor,  and  this  tempest-tost  world  of  its  last 
hope. 

Boasting  infidel,  no  more  provoke  by  your  efforts  to  bring  the 


CLOSING   APPEAL.  2S7 

Sabbath  into  disrepute,  the  Almighty,  unless  the  energies  of 
your  arm  are  sufficient  to  pluck  down  the  stars,  stop  the  sun  in 
its  course,  and  roll  from  their  deep  bed  the  firm  foundations  of 
Jehovah's  empire.  You,  whose  puny  arm  flags  at  the  touch  of 
an  ague,  whose  eye  is  dimmed  with  the  ravages  of  a  few  years, 
and  whose  heart  quails  at  the  lightnings  flash,  and  the  shrieks 
of  the  dymg,  contending  with  the  matchless  Deity  ! !  Boasting 
thyself  to  he  somethings  while  'perishing  before  the  moth  !  Oh, 
madness  and  infatuation  without  a  parallel.  The  greatest  wis- 
dom of  man  is  to  know  himself  a  man — a  poor  frail  worm  of 
the  dust — and  that  the  God  of  the  Bible  is  the  God  of  the 
universe. 

Ponder  it  well,  that  every  man,  who  believes  in  the  binding 
nature  of  the  fourth  commandment,  whether  a  professor  of  re- 
ligion or  not,  if,  in  any  way  he  profane  the  Sabbath,  is  helping 
to  subvert  our  government,  and  introduce  misrule  ;  he  is  under- 
mining the  pillars  which  support  all  that  is  dear  to  the  philan- 
thropist and  the  Christian. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

APPEAL    IN    BEHALF    OF    THE    SABBATH. 

There  are  agents  and  periodicals  to  plead  the  cause  of 
Bibles,  Missions,  Tracts,  Education,  Temperance,  Sabbath 
Schools,  Colonization,  Abolition,  Peace,  Purity,  &c.;  but  where 
is  the  voice  and  where  are  the  agents  who  plead  the  cause  of 
the  Sabbath,  to  which  every  good  object  owes  its  existence  and 
support  ? 

That  such  a  day  has  been  appointed  for  our  observance,  few 
if  any  sincere  believers  in  divine  revelation  will  deny;  and  that 
there  are  most  weighty  reasons  why  we  should  observe  it,  can- 
not be  doubted,  if  we  admit  that  God  has  a  right  to  command 
us,  and  that  we  should  love  our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  It 
would  seem  impossible,  for  any  man  of  common  intelligence  and 
moral  honesty,  to  look  back  upon  the  history  of  our  world,  view 
the  different  conditions  of  the  nations  and  people  who  have  loved 
the  Sabbath,  and  those  who  have  not,  without  being  convinced, 
not  only  of  its  utility  but  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  such  an  in- 
stitution, in  order  to  our  comfort  and  highest  prosperity. 

In  the  language  of  another,  "  I  hold  it  to  be  an  obvious  and 
certain  truth,  that  the  chief  means  of  forming  men  to  a  good 
character,  is  the  due  observance  of  a  Christian  Sabbath  ;  and 
that  without  this  all  other  means  will  fail.  *  *  *  While,  on  the 
other  hand,  every  man  who  neglects  to  remember  the  Sabbath 
day  to  keep  it  holy,  shows  himself  an  enemy  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  his  country.  He  stands  guilty  of  casting  contempt  upon 
the  most  effectual  means  which  infinite  wisdom  has  provided 
for  curing  the  madness  of  the  passions,  for  checking  vice,  and 
preparing  the  human  family  for  that  quiet,  pure  and  rational  en- 
joyment, of  which  they  are  capable." 

The  Sabbath  was  one  of  the  two  sacred  institutions  of  Para- 


APPEAL   IN   BEHALF   OF.  289 

dise,  which  shows  its  importance  in  the  divine  arrangement,  as 
well  as  its  necessity  for  the  benefit  of  man.  The  first  entire  day 
of  man's  existence  was  kept  as  a  Sabbath.  Adam  was  then  in 
his  innocence ;  but  he  needed  this  holy  rest,  for  the  benefit  of 
his  soul.  He  had  not  then  been  doomed  to  earn  his  bread  by  the 
sweat  of  his  brow.  Still  he  needed  a  day  of  rest,  for  the  benefit 
of  his  body. 

The  fact  that  God  commanded,  not  only  that  man  and  his 
household,  but  the  heast^  which  toils  for  his  benefit,  should  rest 
one  day  in  seven,  and  "  be  refreshed,"  shows  that  our  animal 
nature  is  so  constituted  as  to  need  more  rest  than  can  be  enjoyed 
during  the  night  season.  In  some  countries  there  is  little,  in 
others,  no  night,  for  a  long  time.  There,  certainly,  the  poor 
laboring  man  and  beast  need  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath.  Even  in 
this  country,  highly  favored  as  we  are  in  the  division  of  our  time, 
it  is  seen  that  the  man  who  "  remembers  the  Sabbath  day  to 
keep  it  holy,"  enjoys  better  health  in  body  and  mind,  than  the 
man  who  violates  the  law  of  his  Maker.  The  horse  or  the  ox, 
not  allowed  to  rest  one  day  in  seven,  cannot,  in  his  natural  life, 
accomplish  as  much  labor  as  the  one  which  is  allowed  to  rest 
according  to  the  divine  command.  For  why  should  the  rest  of 
one  day  in  seven  be  required  for  them^  if  the  hours  of  the  night 
are  sufficient  to  refresh  them  ?  It  will  not  be  pretended  that 
they  need  the  seventh  day  rest,  to  be  improved  either  for  intel- 
lectual or  moral  purposes. 

To  toil  on,  regardless  of  this  arrangement,  shortens  life  and 
disqualifies  us  for  vigorous  action ;  we  lose  property  by  it,  pro- 
duce more  suff'ering,  and  incur  the  divine  displeasure.  God 
knew  what  was  best  for  man  and  beast;  and  if  we  attempt  to 
counteract  the  laws  of  our  nature  which  he  has  ordained,  and 
contemn  his  authority,  we  shall  suffer  the  misery  and  the  loss 
which  such  folly  and  presumption  must  unavoidably  bring 
upon  us. 

To  desecrate  the  Sabbath  then,  is  to  invite  temporal  losses 
and  suff'erings,  and  expose  the  transgressor  to  everlasting  per- 
dition. The  man  who  dares  profane  the  Sabbath,  is  sinning 
against  his  own  soul  and  body — against  the  soul  and  body  of  his 
fellow  man — against  the  creatures  God  has  made,  and  against 
25 


.   >:^ 


290  THE   SABBATH. 

God  himself,  who  will  hold  him  accountable  for  all  the  evil  he 
may  occasion. 

MINISTERS  OF   THE   GOSPEL. 

jSt  We  appeal  to  the  watchmen  standing  upon  the  walls  of 
Zion.  To  you,  reverend  and  respected  brethren,  is  committed 
the  care  of  the  Christian  Church.  You  are  to  watch  for  souls. 
Christ's  kingdom  has  been  set  up  in  the  world,  and  you  are  to 
see  that  it  is  established  in  every  land.  Every  encouraging  cir- 
cumstance, in  the  providence  of  G-od,  that  will  aid  this  cause, 
you  are  to  sieze  on  with  avidity,  and  apply  with  untiring  perse- 
verance. Every  movement  of  the  enemy,  against  this  holy  en- 
terprise, it  is  expected  you  will  discover,  and  boldly,  strenuously, 
and  perseveringly,  oppose.  Watching,  as  you  should,  with  in- 
tense interest  and  deep  solicitude,  all  these  movements,  you  may 
be  responsible  for  the  inroads  which  are  made  upon  this  king- 
dom, as  well  as  for  the  extension  and  ultimate  triumphs  of 
righteousness  and  peace. 

When  good  is  in  prospect,  you  are  to  incite  to  conquest ;  when 
danger  threatens,  you  must  sound  the  alarm.  "  We  must  ad- 
dress the  conscience ;  we  must  be  bold  in  our  appeal  to  the 
hearts  of  men  ;  we  must  assert  all  the  authority  and  majesty  of 
truth.  The  minister  of  religion  must  not  shrink  from  his  task 
on  such  a  question ;  he  must  cry  aloud  and  spare  not ;  he  must 
show  the  people  of  God  '  their  transgression,  and  the  house  of 
Jacob,  their  sin.' "  The  man  who  will  hold  his  peace  when  the 
church,  or  any  of  the  sacred  institutions  of  our  religion  is  in 
danger,  is  incurring  great  guilt,  and  may  suffer  with  the  wicked. 
There  are  now  many  evils  abroad  in  the  land.  The  enemy  has 
taken  the  field,  unsheathed  his  sword,  and  begun  the  work  of 
death.  His  forces  are  strong — his  attacks  various — his  plans 
wily.  Your  eye  cannot  fail  to  see  his  onward  march,  and  the 
wide-spread  desolations  of  his  footsteps.  Your  ear  must  hear 
the  groans  of  the  wounded,  and  the  prayer  of  the  righteous. 
But,  whenever  there  is  greater  danger  from  one  source  than 
another,  you  must  raise  your  "  voice  like  a  trumpef  Has  not 
that  time  arrived  ?  A  powerful,  systematic,  and  simultaneous 
effort  is  making  by  the  forces  of  the  ungodly,  to  blot  out  the 


APPEAL   IN   BEHALF   OF.  291 

Christian  Sabbath,  and  thereby,  with  one  stroke,  exterminate  the 
whole  system  of  revealed  religion.  They  are  not  too  blind  to 
know,  that  should  they  succeed,  their  most  sanguine  expecta- 
tions will  be  realized. 

It  is  an  admitted  fact,  that  while  righteousness  exalteth  a 
nation,  "  the  Sabbath  is  the  chief  organ  of  its  administration ; 
the  main-spring  of  all  moral  movements ;  the  great  center  of 
attraction,  and  formation  of  illumination  to  the  moral  world." 

It  lies  at  the  foundation  of  the  world's  conversion  unto  God. 
For  of  what  avail  will  it  be  that  an  atonement  has  been  made, 
and  a  way  of  life  proclaimed  in  the  gospel,  if  Ave  are  to  have  no 
ministers  of  that  gospel,  and  no  day  set  apart  on  which  to  as- 
semble and  receive  its  consoling  and  sanctifying  influences? 
Surely  the  Sabbath  is  the  conservator  of  the  Bible  and  its 
blessed  privileges  ;  and  through  them,  the  palladium  of  our 
liberties. 

Who  of  you,  in  your  sacred  employments,  would  long  survive 
the  obliteration  of  the  Sabbath  ?  How  long  would  it  be,  before 
our  churches  would  be  demolished,  or  consecrated  to  the  service 
of  Baal  ?  How  long  before  Christian  assemblies  would  be 
known  only  in  the  history  of  ages  gone  by  ?  How  long  before 
we,  or  our  descendants,  like  the  heathen  philosophers  of  old,  the 
barbarous  Arab,  the  besotted  Hottentot,  should  be  groping  our 
way  to  the  grave,  beyond  which,  all  would  be  "  dark  uncer- 
tainty ■?"  How  long  before  we,  or  those  who  come  after  us, 
should  fall  down  before  a  Juggernaut — sacrifice  to  devils — offer 
upon  a  bloody  altar  human  sacrifices — roll  in  filth  and  wallow  in 
pollution — settle  down  in  ignorance,  and  forget  that  we  were 
once  elevated  almost  to  heaven  in  privileges ;  but  now  are  fall- 
en, because  we  remembered  not  "  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep 
it  holy  ?" 

Is  there  no  reason  to  fear  that  the  Sabbath  will  be  blotted  out, 
and  that  all  these  evils  will  come  upon  us  ?  Let  us  for  a  mo- 
ment look  at  facts,  and  then  answer  this  important  question. 

Many  of  your  number  violate  the  sacredness  of  this  day  by 
traveling  from  parish  to  parish,  or  by  journeys  on  canals,  in 
stages,  steamboats,  and  cars.      Oh,  if  the  watchmen  continue  to 


292  THE   SABBATH. 

add  their  example  to  encourage  this  sin,  where  will  the  evil 
end  ? 

There  are  hundreds  and  thousands  in  our  land,  professors  of 
the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  have  covenanted  to  keep  his 
commandments,  and  yet  are  often  guilty  of  breaking  the  fourth, 
by  traveling,  by  unnecessary  labor  and  worldly  conversation. 
Such  cases  are  far  more  numerous,  than  many  are  aware  of. 
Professing  Christians  also,  hold  stock,  and  some  even  are  di- 
rectors, in  Sabbath-breaking  establishments.  Others  of  them  go 
or  send  to  the  Post-office,  indulge  in  secular  reading,  keep  a  man 
to  distribute  milk  on  that,  as  well  as  on  other  days  of  the  week. 
While  this  state  of  things  exists  in  the  church,  have  we  not 
reason  to  fear  that  the  sin  will  continue  and  increase,  till  the 
Sabbath  is  forgotten,  or  remembered  only  as  a  day  of  amuse- 
ment and  dissipation  ? 

Our  National  Legislature  does  not  suitably  regard  the 
Sabbath,  but  constantly  and  impiously  causes  it  to  be  profaned, 
and  encourages  in  its  profanation  not  less  than  sixty  or  eighty 
thousand  of  her  constituents,  including  those  employed  in  the 
Postoffice  departments,  those  who  carry  the  mail,  and  those  who 
visit  Postoffices  on  that  day.  More  than  this,  thousands  of 
others  quote  the  example  of  this  Legislature,  as  a  justification 
for  traveling,  boating,  and  almost  all  other  kinds  of  Sabbath- 
breaking.  It  is  high  authority.  From  the  President  and  the 
Speaker,  down  to  the  lowest  officer  in  that  assembly,  with  few 
exceptions,  they  desecrate  this  holy  day ;  and  is  this  the  way  by 
which  we  shall  become  that  happy  people  whose  God  is  the 
Lord  ?    Is  not  this  cause  for  alarm  ? 

In  the  arrangement  of  our  judicial  proceedings,  in  many  of 
our  circuits,  judges  and  lawyers  are  compelled  to  travel  from 
county  to  county  on  the  Lord's  day,  or  the  courts  are  not  opened 
in  season,  and  the  interests  of  the  client  are  neglected.  "What 
would  such  judges  do  with  the  man  who  should  be  arraigned 
for  contempt  of  the  Sabbath  ?  Who  would  try  him  ?  Who 
would  condemn  him?  Who  would  punish  him?  Not  one. 
Our  laws,  in  respect  to  the  observance  of  that  day,  have  become 
almost,  if  not  altogether,  a  dead  letter. 

Our  public  conveyances,  our  transporting   companies,    and 


APPEAL    IN   BEHALF    OF.  293 

some  of  our  manufacturing  establishments,  continue  their  busi- 
ness on  the  Sabbath.  No  man  can  engage  in  them,  unless  he 
first  consents  to  array  himself  against  God,  help  to  open  the 
flood-gates  of  iniquity,  and  deluge  the  world  with  ignorance, 
crime,  and  moral  death. 

But  all  the  business  of  this  kind,  which  is  already  very  con- 
siderable, and  daily  increasing,  with  the  increasing  number  of 
our  canals,  railroads,  steamboats,  navigable  rivers,  and  national 
roads,  is  in  the  hands  of  those  whom  some  of  our  ministers, 
many  professing  Christians,  our  national  legislature,  jurists,  and 
council,  are  daily  encouraging  in  their  desecration  of  the  Sab- 
bath.    Do  these  things  aJ0ford  no  just  ground  of  alarm? 

Now  look  upon  the  laboring  class  of  the  community,  which  is 
most  affected  by  this  wicked  and  unjust  demand  upon  its  ser- 
vices. Many  of  them  are  poor  and  ignorant — orphans — friend- 
less. They  need  a  day  of  rest — they  need  instruction— they 
need  the  consolations  of  the  gospel — they  need  a  watchman — a 
guide.  But,  alas !  in  the  present  state  of  public  feeling,  they 
can  enjoy  none  of  these  things.  The  stage  driver,  the  coach- 
man, the  carman,  the  boatman,  the  porter,  the  steward,  the 
cook,  the  milkman,  the  ostler,  the  washer-woman,  the  barber, 
the  boot-black,  and  many  others,  must  toil  seven  days  for  the 
wages  of  six.  Aside  from  the  injustice  done  to  these  ten  or 
twelve  hundred  thousand  immortal  beings,  are  there  no  evils  to 
be  feared  from  their  influence,  scattered,  as  they  are,  over  all  the 
land,  and  in  every  school  of  vice,  on  the  rising  generation,  and 
at  the  polls,  when  they,  having  so  long  been  away  from  the 
care  and  protection  of  the  virtuous,  and  deprived  of  their  own 
fights,  will  care  little  for  the  rights  and  welfare  of  others  ?  Oh, 
there  is  a  cloud  gathermg,  charged  with  indescribable  calami- 
ties, and  ready  to  burst  upon  this  guilty  nation.  "  I  tremble," 
said  Jefferson,  "when  I  remember  that  God  is  just." 

Look  once  more  upon  our  great  thoroughfares :  see  the  thou- 
sands and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  gentlemen  and  ladies  travel- 
ing on  Sunday.  The  boats,  stages,  and  cars,  all  move  forward, 
and  the  crowd  pass  on  with  them.  See  sailors  and  boatmen  by 
scores,  and  within  a  few  rods  of  a  chapel  erected  for  their  reli- 
gious improvement,  obliged  to  labor  all  the  day^  while  they  are 
2b* 


294  THE  SABBATH. 

famishing  for  the  bread  of  life.  See  merchants,  mechanics,  and 
professional  men,  beginning  to  open  their  shops  and  offices ;  and 
agriculturists  to  cultivate  their  fields  on  Sunday ;  the  sports- 
man, too,  with  his  dog  and  gun  in  the  field,  and  tell  us,  to  what 
will  these  things  grow,  if  sufi'ered  to  pass  unrebuked  ?  Tell  us, 
is  there  no  cause  of  alarm  ? 

But  we  will  not  pursue  this  train  of  thought.  "Watchman ! 
"  What  think  you  of  the  night  ?"  It  appears  to  us,  danger  is 
ahead — that  we  hear  the  funeral  dirge  of  our  liberties,  of  our  re- 
ligion, and  of  our  glory.  But  if  you  discover  no  such  danger, 
can  hear  nothing  which  excites  alarm,  this  nation  will  dream  on 
in  sin ;  its  death-like  slumbers  can  never  be  broken  by  our  feeble 
voice ;  and,  before  the  grave  closes  on  this  generation,  will  it 
not  have  entombed  all  the  hopes  of  the  philanthropist,  the  pa- 
triot, ^nd  the  Christian  ?  Let  us  now  ask,  what  will  you  do  ? 
You  have  a  voice  which  can  be  heard  through  this  whole  na- 
tion, and  over  all  Christendom.  Would  you,  each  and  all  of  you, 
now  imitate  the  example  of  Nehemiah  on  this  subject,  and,  like 
him,  show  to  all  men  that  you  are  in  earnest  about  your  Mas- 
ter's business — that  his  law  must  be  heard,  and  must  be  obeyed, 
God  would  bless  your  efforts,  men  would  hear,  believe,  tremble, 
and  obey.  The  truth  of  God  is  mighty — wickedness  cannot 
stand  before  it.  The  devil  has  not  the  effrontery  to  stand  and 
dispute  a  single  truth  coming  from  an  humble,  bold,  unoffending 
servant  of  the  Most  High  ! 

If  this  sentiment  be  correct,  and  the  desirable  reformation  be 
not  effected,  then  where  lies  the  guilt  ?  In  whose  skirts  will  the 
blood  of  souls  be  found  ?  The  watchmen  are  slumbering,  with 
the  church,  and  the  world.  O,  what  responsibility !  Sooner 
than  occupy  your  place  in  the  church,  unless  awake  to  this  des- 
olating evil,  and  putting  forth  all  our  energies  to  remove  it,  we 
would  bend  over  the  mouth  of  a  volcano,  or  step  into  the  jaws 
of  a  crocodile. 

Let  all  the  ministers  of  Christ  now  engage  against  this  blight- 
ing upas — this  hydra  monster,  which  is  rushing  over  our  lemd, 
carrying  before  it  all  that  is  fair  and  hopeful,  and  we  should  soon 
witness  the  triumphs  of  the  Sabbath  reform,  which  would  give 
a  new  impulse  to  all  our  moral  reforms,  and  establish  on  a 


APPEAL   IN  BEHALF   OF.  295 

broader  and  firmer  foundation,  those  institutions  which  have  for 
their  object  the  dissemination  of  truth,  the  comfort  and  eleva- 
tion of  the  wretched,  and  the  conversion  of  the  world.  If  only 
ten  men  would  take  hold  of  this  subject,  as  did  Nehemiah,  it 
would  certainly  succeed.  The  evil  can  be  remedied— the  deluge 
can  and  must  be  stayed.  It  is  practicable— and  it  is  safe  to  em- 
bark in  the  undertaking. 

There  is  now  no  longer  any  doubt  where  the  evil  of  Sabbath- 
breaking  originates.  It  is  with  business-men — the  merchant, 
the  manufacturer,  and  the  traveling  gentleman.  These  men 
create  the  demand  for  stage,  boat,  and  canal  labor. 

No  good  man,  when  he  views  this  subject  in  its  true  light,  it 
is  believed,  will  oppose  an  entire  cessation  of  worldly  business 
on  the  Lord's  day — although  the  enemy  of  the  Bible,  of  his 
country,  and  of  our  race,  may. 

PRIVATE   CHRISTIANS. 

We  appeal  also  to  every  private  Christian,  high  or  low,  rich 
or  poor.  You  stand  on  an  eminence ;  the  world  is  gazing  upon 
you ;  the  example  you  set  will  not  only  tell  on  your  own  cha- 
racter and  destiny,  but  on  the  character  and  destiny  of  unborn 
ages. 

Perhaps  you  may  think  you  will  not  be  known  as  a  Christian, 
when  traveling  from  home  ;  and  your  influence  will  not  be  very 
deleterious.  But  this  is  a  mistake.  You  will  be  known  as  a 
Christian,  if  you  act  consistently;  and  if  you  are  not  known  in 
this  character,  you  will,  in  all  probability,  be  known  as  a  hy- 
pocrite. 

'  Professors,  when  traveling  far  from  home,  with  little  money, 
are  in  the  habit  of  saying,  "I  must  travel  on  the  Sabbath;  I 
have  a  family  at  home ;  I  fear  they  are  sick,  and  need  my  coun- 
sel and  assistance."  But,  dear  friends,  remember,  these  are  ad- 
ditional reasons  why  you  should  not  disobey  God.  If  you  had 
what  would  buy  you  earthly  friends,  you  might  think  you  could 
do  a  little  longer  without  the  assistance  and  friendship  of  God. 
Who  is  it  that  gives  you  your  money,  your  friends,  and  all  your 
enjoyments  ?  You  will  say,  God.  We  ask,  then,  is  it  wise, 
when  your  means  are  slender,  and  when  you  most  need  His  aid, 


296  THE  SABBATH. 

to  disobey  Him,  and  cast  Him  off?  But  it  is  wise  and  safe,  at 
all  times,  in  all  places,  and  under  all  circumstances,  to  obey 
God ;  and  he  tells  you  to  "  remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep 
it  holy." 

You  are  bound,  not  only  to  keep  the  Sabbath  yourself,  but  to  do 
all  in  your  power  to  have  your  household,  and  the  stranger  within 
your  gates,  observe  and  sanctify  it.  Pursue  the  course  marked 
out  by  Nehemiah.  Observe  with  what  strictness  the  Jews  were 
commanded  to  keep  holy  time.  Some  of  you  have  more  and 
some  less  influence  in  the  church,  and  over  your  acquaintance ; 
and  you  are  all  held  responsible  for  the  best  direction  of  that 
influence.  Let  love  to  souls  and  to  Jesus  Christ  prompt  you  to 
come  to  the  help  of  this  cause. 

You,  who  are  business  men,  can  do  much,  and  there  is  now  a 
call  for  your  best  efforts.  Officers  in  the  church,  and  those  who 
fill  places  of  honor  and  trust,  can  do  much  for  their  Master. 

Editors  of  religious  periodicals  are  placed  in  circumstances 
peculiarly  responsible.  Theii-  influence  is  felt  throughout  Chris- 
tendom. It  is  equal  to  that  of  those  who  serve  at  the  altar,  if 
not  greater.  They  can  contribute  as  much  toward  forming  a 
correct  public  conscience,  as  any  other  class  of  men. ,  Let  them, 
then,  with  their  united  voice  and  manly  energies,  espouse  this 
cause,  and  the  herculean  task  will  easily  be  performed.  It  is 
confidently  hoped  that  such  assistance  will  be  promptly  and  ef- 
ficiently rendered ;  and  that  every  such  paper  ^will  teem  with 
facts,  and  expostulate  with  a  power,  which  will  awaken,  and 
cannot  be  resisted. 

chtjeches. 

To  the  churches  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  we 
would  say,  when  you  see  a  Christian  brother  traveling,  or 
doing  worldly  business  on  Sunday,  expostulate  with  him ;  and  if 
he  do  not  give  you  satisfaction,  report  him  to  the  church  to 
which  he  belongs. 

It  is  believed  that  the  church,  to  an  alarming  extent,  encoura- 
ges the  desecration  of  this  day  of  rest,  by  .doing  those  works 
and  allowing  those  practices  which  are  forbidden,  displeasing  to 
God,  and  blighting  and  deadly  in  their  influence  on  all  our  social. 


APPEAL    IN  BEHALF   OF.  297 

civil,  and  religious  interests.  The  apostle  Peter  tells  us,  that  judg- 
ment must  begin  at  the  house  of  God.  If  this  be  so,  is  it  not 
important  that  they  immediately  confess  and  forsake  their  sins  ? 
How  cheering  the  return  and  remembrance  of  holy  time — adapt- 
ed to  awaken  heavenly  contemplations,  hearty  thanksgivings,  and 
holy  aspirations.  Then  why  should  we  lose  these  benefits,  by 
wantonly  profaning  its  sacred  hours  ? 

PHILANTHROPISTS. 

We  did  intend  in  this  place,  to  give  a  few  sketches  of  an- 
cient and  modern  history ;  that  at  one  view  we  might  look  on 
the  diiferent  conditions  of  men,  under  different  religious  opin- 
ions, and  see  that  a  belief  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  has  led 
to  the  great  difference  between  nations,  communities  and  individ- 
uals. 

But  we  shall  only  allude  to  a  few  instances,  and  leave  the 
reader's  mind  to  supply  the  defect.  Contrast  the  character  of 
the  little  conamunity  which  sailed  over  the  flood,  from  the  old 
to  the  new  world,  with  the  character  of  those  who  perished  in 
the  waters ;  also  the  character  of  the  Sodomites  with  that  of 
Abraham  and  Lot ;  the  idolatrous  Gentile  nations  with  the  Jews ; 
Christians  with  Mohammedan  and  heathen  nations. 

Look  at  all  the  ignorance,  bigotry,  idolatry,  bloody  rites,  des- 
potism, crime,  pollution,  sloth,  degradation,  suffering,  and  despair, 
which  have  settled  down  on  those  nations  and  people  that  have 
forgotten  God,  and  kept  not  his  Sabbaths.  Then  look  at  the 
obedient,  confiding  believer  in  the  one  living  and  true  God. 

Let  your  eye  follow  the  line  of  devoted  disciples  of  Christ 
down  to  the  present  time.  See  them  going  about  preaching 
Christ  and  him  crucified ;  contented  and  happy,  but  for  the  hard- 
ness, obduracy,  and  continued  rebellion  of  their  hearers.  Look 
through  "  the  bleak  recesses  of  the  Alps,"  and  see  the  industri- 
ous, moral,  and  pious  Waldenses,  peacefully  inhabiting  their 
beautiful  villages  and  hamlets.  See  the  intelligence,  wealth, 
and  comfort  of  other  parts  of  Europe ;  the  unparalleled  enterprise, 
prosperity,  philanthropy,  and  benevolence  of  these  United  States ; 
the  great  commercial  cities,  villages,  towns,  canals,  rail-roads, 
public  high-ways,  and  manufactories  of  both  continents;  the 


298  THE   SABBATH. 

arts  and  sciences  in  a  high  state  of  perfection ;  the  simplicity 
and  firmness  of  republican  governments  ;  and  monarchy  coming 
down  from  her  supreme  selfishness,  to  care  for  the  interests  of 
the  people — all,  the  legitimate  effect  of  the  influence  of  the 
gospel. 

From  this  delightful  view,  go  with  us  into  Asia.  Stand  by 
the  funeral  pile,  behold  the  Ganges,  and  Juggernaut ;  pass  into 
the  "  Celestial  Empire."  What  were  Confucianism  and  Tahoo- 
ism  doing  centuries  before  the  coming  of  Christ  ?  What  has 
Boodhism  done  during  these  almost  eighteen  hundred  years  ? 
Here,  it  is  true,  you  may  see  large  and  populous  cities,  and  once 
splendid  edifices ;  but  dilapidation  and  decay,  in  language  which 
cannot  be  misunderstood,  are  foretelling  their  total  destruction, 
without  the  speedy  interposition  of  some  other  religion.  Here 
may  also  be  seen  huge  walls,  extensive  canals  ;  but  who  carries 
on  her  commerce  with  foreign  nations  ?  Where  is  her  enlight- 
ened patriotism,  her  benevolence,  her  mechanical  enterprise,  her 
philanthropy,  her  morality,  her  industiy,  her  gratitude,  her  so- 
cial, friendly  intercourse  with  other  nations  ?  We  speak  of  them 
as  a  people.  In  Siberia,  Arabia,  and  the  islands  of  the  South 
Sea,  may  also  be  witnessed  the  deleterious  results  of  the  absence 
of  the  Sabbath  and  the  Christian  religion. 

The  picture  in  Africa  is  no  better,  but  in  many  respects  worse. 
There  the  cannibal,  the  far-fallen,  degraded,  filthy  Hottentot ;  the 
unsuspecting,  ignorant  Negro ;  all  alike  are  without  God  and 
without  hope  in  the  world.  Little  but  desolation  and  misery  is 
seen,  over  all  their  territories.  Many  of  them  are  houseless, 
homeless,  naked,  starving ;  because  they  have  none  of  the  pro- 
mises and  threatenings  of  the  gospel  to  stimulate  them  to  industry, 
morality,  and  piety.  How  was  it  in  the  islands  of  the  Pacific, 
before  our  missionaries  went  among  them.  Darkness,  ignorance, 
superstition,  and  idolatry  prevailed  among  them  also.  It  is  said 
of  the  Washmgton  Islands,  "  they  are  a  perfect  brothel ;  the  ges- 
tures the  men  practice,"  before  American  and  European  ladies, 
"are  truly  shocking ;  and  wherever  we  have  met  native  females, 
they  have  most  unblushingly  offered  themselves  for  pollution." 

Some  of  the  tribes  of  Indians  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  it  is 
said,  are  still  more  degraded  in  this  respect.    Though  their  daugh- 


APPEAL    IN   BEHALF    OF.  299 

ters  are  universally  and  unreservedly  doomed  to  satisfy  the  unbri- 
dled propensities  of  the  young  men,  to  prevent  adultery,  still  the 
male  and  the  female,  the  married  and  the  unmarried,  in  the  indul- 
gence of  their  lust,  are  more  brutish  and  unnatural,  than  were  the 
inhabitants  of  Sodom.  Idolatry,  in  all  these  places,  has  gro^vn 
old ;  and  many  of  her  votaries  have  become  or  are  becoming 
weary  of  its  exorbitant  demands. 

Why  all  this  poverty,  ignorance,  wretchedness,  degradation, 
sloth,  unkindness,  licentiousness,  crime,  dilapidation,  promiscu- 
ous ruin,  and  death,  if  the  opposite  results  exist  only  under  the 
influence  of  the  religion  of  the  God  we  worship  ?  Why  so  much 
misery  and  human  wo  among  the  devotees  of  paganism,  and 
Mohammedanism,  if  the  influence  of  their  Shasters  and  the  Ko- 
ran is  as  salutary  as  that  of  the  Bible  and  the  Christian  religion  ? 
But  it  is  folly  to  pretend  that  the  influence  of  the  one  is  as  good 
as  that  of  the  other.  "  A  tree  is  known  by  its  fruit."  It  is  known 
that  the  religion  of  the  Bible  alone,  brings  life  and  immortality 
to  light — causes  light  to  spring  out  of  darkness,  and  order  out 
of  confusion — introduces  peace  and  comfort ;  intelligence  and 
wealth ;  cleanliness  and  virtue ;  morality  and  rational  expecta- 
tion of  future  blessedness — raises  the  brutish  man  to  the  dignity 
of  his  nature — dethrones  the  despot — breaks  the  chains  of  the 
enslaved — relieves  the  suffering  and  the  distressed — instructs  the 
ignorant — soothes  the  disconsolate,  and  wipes  the  tear  of  sorrow 
from  the  cheek  of  the  widow  and  the  orphan.  It  is  this  religion 
only,  that  can  prepare  man  for  life,  for  death,  and  for  the  judg- 
ment— guide  and  direct  him  safely  through  this  vale  of  tears — 
comfort  him  in  his  departing  moments,  and  procure  for  him  a 
seat  among  the  blessed.  But  those  privileges  and  consolations 
cannot  be  secured  and  perpetuated,  nor  can  the  opposite  evils  be 
avoided,  without  the  aid  of  the  Sabbath.  As  well  might  we  ex. 
pect  the  pendulum  of  a  clock,  or  the  balance-wheel  of  a  watch, 
to  move  without  a  propelling  power ;  or  to  enjoy  the  light  of 
day,  if  all  the  luminaries  of  heaven  were  extinguished ;  as  that 
the  religion  of  the  Bible  will  be  promulgated  to  all  people,  and 
be  adopted  by  all  men ;  and  render  happy  the  whole  human  fam, 
ily,  without  the  benign  and  salutary  influence  of  this  institution. 
Let  go  the  Sabbath,  and  with  it  will  perish  all  our  hopes  of  fu- 


300  THE  SABBATH. 

ture  blessedness,  as  a  nation,  as  communities,  and  as  individuals. 
Surely  then  the'  philanthropist  has  a  deep  and  lasting  interest 
in  securing  the  better  observance  of  this  day  of  rest. 

To  HUSBANDS,  FATHERS,  AND   BROTHERS, jJlis  SUbjeCt  COmmCnds 

itself.  Would  you  have  the  marriage  covenant  maintained  in- 
violate ?  Do  you  value  chastity,  sobriety,  intelligence,  industry, 
cleanliness,  and  domestic  enjoyment  ?  Would  you  have  your 
wives,  your  daughters,  your  sisters,  virtuous,  amiable,  "lovely, 
and  of  good  report;"  skilled  in  all  the  useful  branches  of  domes- 
tic economy,  and  education  ?  Would  you  have  them  like  the 
pious  Hannah,  Lady  Jane  Grey,  Elizabeth  Rowe,  Harriet  New- 
ell, Hannah  More,  Mrs.  Winslow,  instead  of  "  the  blood-stained 
Semiramis,  the  wanton  Cleopatra,  Russia's  flagitious  Catharine," 
Fanny  Wright ;  the  ignorant,  degraded  female  of  India,  of  the 
Washington  Islands,  or  the  female  that  roams  over  the  western 
forests  ?  Then  do  all  you  can  to  sustain  the  influence  of  the 
Sabbath. 

Wives,  daughters,  sisters,  if  you  would  not  be  the  slaves  of 
idle,  dissipated,  unfeeling  men ;  if  you  would  not  be  made  to 
toil  and  drudge  for  an  ignorant,  lordly,  besotted  husband ;  pre- 
pare his  meals  from  the  corn  of  your  own  raising,  the  fish  of 
your  own  taking,  cooked  by  the  fire  of  your  own  kindling ;  and 
then  sit  by  in  silence  till  he  has  been  served,  when  you  may  go 
and  partake  of  the  fragments ;  if  you  would  not  be  subject  to  his 
chastising  rod,  to  contempt  and  scorn,  to  degradation  and  sorrow 
through  his  life,  and  then  burn  on  his  funeral  pile ;  if  you  would 
prefer  a  pious  Abraham,  Daniel,  Paul,  Hale,  Baxter,  Howard, 
Mills,  Payson,  to  an  envious,  blood-thirsty  Cain,  the  haughty 
Nebuchadnezzar,  the  hard-hearted  Pharaoh,  the  impious  Herod, 
Nero,  Voltaire,  Paine,  Robespierre,  or  the  inhuman  cannibal;  if 
you  would  not  be  put  in  circumstances,  where  you  would  con- 
sider it  not  only  a. duty,  but  a  virtue,  to  take  the  life  of  your  in- 
fant, throw  away'your  chastity,  submit  to  all  the  horrors  of  pa- 
ganism, and  to  death  itself,  without  the  hope  of  immortality ;  if 
you  would  not  exchange  your  intelligence,  your  virtue,  your  do- 
mestic firesides,  your  social  and  religious  circles,  the  kmdness 
and  respect  shown  to  your  sex ;  the  joy  and  hope  which  the 
Gospel  inspires,  and  all  which  so  highly  distinguishes  you  above 


APPEAL   IN  BEHALF   OF.  301 

your  sex  where  the  Gospel  is  not  known ;  we  beseech  you,  come 
without  delay,  and  lend  your  efficient  influence  to  do  away  the 
sin  of  Sabbath-breaking.  You  owe  all  your  elevation  of  charac- 
ter, all  your  comforts  here,  and  hopes  of  bliss  hereafter,  to  the 
holy  influence  of  the  Bible.  And  can  you  remain  indifferent,  in 
a  struggle  to  maintain  and  defend  the  pillar  on  which  it  rests  ? 
We  do  not  believe  you  can.  You  would  not,  if  you  could.  Your 
influence  is  salutary.  When  rightly  put  forth,  it  is  sovereign. 
Give  us  then  this  influence,  and  you,  and  your  sex  after  you, 
shall  still  be  intelligent,  free,  and  happy. 

NATIONAL   LEGISLATURE. 

Though  we  do  not  expect  our  national  legislature  to  enact  laws 
to  enforce  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  yet  we  do  expect,  and 
have  a  right  to  expect,  that  they  will  prevent  the  enactment  of 
any  law,  which  shall  prejudice  the  rights  and  jeopard  the  inter- 
ests of  this  great  nation. 

But  as  a  national  body,  convened  to  manage  and  control  the 
civil  and  political  concerns  of  this  growing  republic,  they  have 
made  a  law,  in  relation  to  the  Postoffice  Department,  the  adoption 
of  which  was  a  public  denial  of  the  right  of  Jehovah  to  command 
us  to  remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy;  and  an  in- 
fringement on  the  rights  of  every  man  who  would  obey  God 
rather  than  any  subordinate  power.  By  this  act,  that  body  is 
not  only  sinning  against  a  large,  respectable,  and  efficient  part  of 
this  republic,  but  they  are  sinning  against  their  own  souls — 
against,  indeed,  the  whole  people  for  whom  they  legislate,  and 
against  high  Heaven.  It  should  never  be  forgotten  that  God 
punishes,  and  blesses  nations  and  communities,  in  this  life,  ac- 
cording as  they  obey  or  disobey  Him.  Though  this  is  not  a 
state  of  retribution  for  individuals,  it  is  for  nations  and  communi' 
ties.  By  this  wicked  and  infidel  act,  we  have  had  our  Sabbath 
voted  away,  and  God  is  frowning  upon  us. 

What  then  shall  we  do  ?  What  will  the  result  of  all  this  be  ? 
Read  the  history  of  modern  France,  introducing  her  decades,  and 
of  other  nations  who  have  dared  to  disregard  the  Sabbath,  and 
learn  the  true  answer  to  these  inquiries.  By  the  enactment  of 
this  unrighteous  law,  we  are  exposed  to  numberless  and  fearftil 
26 


302  THE  SAEBATH. 

evils.  It  retards  the  progress  of  light,  life,  and  truth ;  is  hedg- 
ing up  the  way  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  and  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  kingdom  of  Christ ;  and  will  God  be  silent  and  m- 
active  with  such  an  obstacle  in  the  way  of  the  advancement  of 
his  cause  ?  This  law  is  also  injuring  from  sixty  to  eighty  thou- 
sand individuals,  who  are  tempted,  or  compelled,  to  labor  on 
Sunday.  It  takes  away  from  them  the  bread  of  life.  Much  of 
this  labor  is  performed  by  poor  people,  orphans,  who  need  em- 
ployment, without  which  they  would  suffer  for  the  necessaries  of 
life ;  and  this  class,  most  need  the  instruction  communicated  on 
the  Sabbath  in  the  house  of  God.  But  how  many  of  them,  men 
and  boys,  are  living  in  ignorance  and  crime,  preparing  to  vote 
away  our  rights  and  property ;  to  pilfer,  lie,  gamble,  and  mur- 
der— and  ripening  for  the  employments  and  sufferings  of  the  lost ! 
Boatmen  and  carmen,  have  been  encouraged  to  tread  the  Sab- 
bath under  their  feet,  and  say  "  the  nation  justifies  us  in  the  act ;" 
and  who  can  tell  the  amount  of  pestilential  influence  arising 
from  these  channels  of  sin  and  pollution  ?  In  the  cold  season, 
they  go  back  to  the  places  of  their  nativity,  or  elsewhere,  con- 
taminating the  very  atmosphere  in  which  they  move.  Who 
must  answer  for  all  this  guilt  and  crime  ? 

Here  is  an  evil  which  has  been  done,  and  if  the  present  mem- 
bers of  Congress  say  "  it  was  done  by  our  predecessors,"  the  fact 
is  admitted,  but  you  have  sanctioned  and  encouraged  it  by  not 
repealing  the  law  requiring  the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath.  For 
since  it  required  a  national  act  to  introduce  it,  it  requires  a  na- 
tional act  to  abolish  it.  This  nation  is  to  decide  whether  she  will 
have  a  Sabbath  or  not.  If  we  are  to  have  a  Sabbath,  we  must  re- 
peal that  law.  While  the  law  is  in  force.  Sabbath-breaking  will 
continue  and  increase :  and  are  we  prepared  to  say,  we  will  not 
repeal  it  ? — that  we  cannot  do  without  a  Sunday  mail  ?  One  of 
two  things  we  shall  be  compelled  to  do,  either  give  up  Sun- 
day mails,  Sunday  stages  and  cars,  or  give  up  the  Sabbath.  Both 
cannot  be  sustained  among  us. 

Before  we  become  a  nation  of  infidels,  let  us  pause  and  count 
the  cost ;  and  remember,  that  God  holds  us  by  his  omnipotent 
hand,  and  will  call  us  to  account ;  our  unbelief  and  our  contempt 
of  his  authority,  our  intelligence,  honors,  titles,  riches,  power, 


APPEAL  IN  BEHALF   OF.  303 

and  extensive  resources,  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  At 
his  bar  we  must  appear,  by  his  law  we  must  be  judged,  and  not 
by  the  worldly  rules  of  convenience  and  profit,  or  by  our  notion 
of  necessity.  God  has  said  "  remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep 
it  holy,"  and  this  nation  ought  to  hear  his  voice  and  obey  it — 
obey  it  now.  Infidels  may  oppose,  as  they  oppose  the  spread  of 
the  Gospel,  and  so  long  as  they  can  see  the  Sabbath  desecrated 
by  a  peofle,  by  a  nation^  they  know  they  have  little  to  fear  from 
the  influence  of  our  religion. 

STATE  legislatuhes. 

Our  State  legislatures  are  also  uiterested  in  this  matter.  Many 
of  them,  every  Lord's  day,  are  receiving  money  from  canal  and 
railroad  tolls.  This  ought  not  to  be.  The  old  adage,  "  the  par- 
taker is  as  bad  as  the  thief,"  applies  a  little  too  closely  to  this 
practice,  to  be  countenanced  by  those  who  take  the  Bible  for 
their  guide.  It  seems  too  much  like  selling  a  man  the  right 
to  poison  his  neighbors,  with  rum,  brandy,  and  whisky — giving 
him  a  license, /or  money,  to  do  what  God  will  not  allow  him  to 
do ;  and  which,  but  for  this  license,  he  would  not  dare  do.  Our 
legislatures  ought  to  close  every  lock  on  all  their  canals;  their 
custom-house  offices,  their  other  public  offices — stop  railcars  and 
other  works  under  their  control  during  the  Lord's  day,  and  in  no 
way  aid,  or  countenance  Sabbath-breaking. 

They  are  authorized  and  expected  to  enact  laws  to  secure  the 
safety  of  our  property,  the  rights  of  individuals,  and  the  benefit  of 
all  concerned. 

It  is  presumed  that  it  will  not  be  pretended  by  any  enlighten- 
ed and  good  man,  that  there  is  a  necessity  for  violating  the  Sab- 
bath, by  boating,  staging,  mail-carrying,  and  the  like.  Any 
practice,  the  natural  tendency  of  which  is  to  endanger  our  insti- 
tutions, lead  to  ignorance  and  crime,  and  call  down  upon  us  the 
judgments  of  heaven,  should  be  forbidden;  and  no  legislator, 
that  does  not  watch  every  encroachment  upon  our  rights,  with 
a  jealous,  impartial  eye,  is  doing  his  duty.  To  them  we  have 
confided  the  interests  of  our  several  States ; — ^we  expect  them  to 
watch  over  these  interests,  and  protect  them  in  all  their  varied 
branches ;  and  hand  down,  unimpaired,  to  the  generation  that 


304  THE   SABBATH. 

shall  follow  us,  the  precious  legacy  of  a  pure  code  of  morals  and 
politics,  which  we  now  enjoy ;  accompanied  with  an  untarnished 
reputation.  We  are  not  pleading  for  the  enactment  of  new 
laws,  to  suppress  this  sin,  for  the  laws  we  noio  have  for- its  sup- 
pression, though  in  themselves  good,  and  perhaps  sufficient,  are 
a  dead  letter ;  broken,  as  it  were,  by  common  consent,  both  by 
judges  and  jurors,  governors  and  governed.  In  England,  as  well 
as  in  this  country,  public  conscience  has  once  been  right  on  this 
subject,  as  may  be  seen  in  their  various  acts  of  legislation.  But 
alas  !  where  now  is  that  conscience  ?  Many  say  we  ought  to 
have  no  law  against  Sabbath-breaking.  But  God  did  not  think 
so.  He  made  one  code  of  laws  for  his  people,  and  that  code 
was  suitable  for  all  purposes.  The  best,  wisest,  and  greatest 
men  that  ever  lived — statesmen,  jurists,  and  legislators,  have  not 
thought  so,  but  have  added  their  authority  to  the  authority  of 
God,  if  by  any  means  they  might  prevent  ihe  commission  of 
crimes,  which  would  unavoidably  bring  down  upon  them  tem- 
poral, as  well  as  spiritual  judgments.  Should  not  the  subject  of 
a  government  be  prohibited  from  doing  what  would  not  only 
prevent  his  being  a  good  subject,  but  bring  immense  evil  upon 
the  community  ?  Who  should  guard  our  riglits,  if  our  legisla- 
tors are  not  to  do  it  ?  Surely  it  is  their  province,  and  their  duty, 
too,  to  do  it. 

It  can  easily  be  shown,  to  a  candid,  reflecting  mind,  that  the 
Sabbath  is  indispensable  to  national  prosperity.  Communities 
have  always  been  blessed  or  cursed,  nearly  in  exact  proportion, 
as  they  have  regarded  or  disregarded  the  divine  arrangement  in 
relation  to  the  Sabbath.  Individuals,  even,  are  often  made 
monuments  of  God's  displeasure,  on  account  of  their  participa- 
tion in  this  sin.  And  let  it  ever  be  remembered,  no  man,  or  body 
of  men,  can  desecrate  that  day  without  incurring  great  guilt. 

Legislators,  at  the  present  day,  are  as  much  bound  to  protect 
and  defend  our  literary  and  moral  institutions,  which  tend  to  our 
present  as  well  as  future  prosperity,  as  were  legislators  in  the 
days  of  Moses,  Joshua,  David,  and  Daniel.  We  cannot  see  how 
it  is,  that  legislators  have  nothing  to  do  with  moral  institutions, 
or  the  Bible,  since  all  valuable  legislation  is  founded  on  the  laws 
of  the  Bible.    Legislate  in  accordance  with  any  thing  else,  and 


APPEAL   m  BEHALF   OF.  305 

contrary  to  the  Bible,  and  in  a  little  time  legislation  will  be  as 
useless  as  gossiper  to  a  drowning  man,  or  a  falling  edifice.  That 
code  of  laws  which  will  contribute  most  to  the  peace  and  pros* 
perity  of  a  nation,  is  all  the  church  needs,  and  all  that  God  re- 
quires for  her,  or  for  himself.  Why,  then,  should  Christian 
nations  refuse  to  own  their  allegiance  and  their  amenability  to 
the  King  of  Heaven  ?  Why  refuse  to  say,  men  must  obey  God, 
if  they  would  be  happy,  and  all  our  laws  shall  aim  at  that  de- 
sirable end  ?  Is  it  not  because  they  hate  God,  and  are  ashamed 
to  go  to  Him  for  instruction  ? 

Perhaps  some  may  say,  you  would  "  unite  Church  and  State;'* 
but  only  fools,  the  devil,  and  his  emissaries,  would  have  them 
united,  as  the  charge  implies ;  for,  thus  united^  the  Church  falls ; 
separated,  the  State  falls.  But  properly  united  and  separated, 
they  stand  and  flourish  together.  Separate  the  Church  from  the 
State,  in  all  her  influence,  and  by  going  to  pagan  lands,  you  may 
see  in  what  condition  such  a  State  would  be.  Unite  Church  and 
State,  and  Europe  can  tell  many  tales  of  sorrow,  scenes  of  dis- 
cord and  bloodshed,  which  have  occurred  in  consequence  of  it. 
Unite  and  separate  them,  as  it  should  be  done,  and  the  early 
history  of  the  Jews,  and  of  this  country,  can  show  you  the  pros- 
perity, advancement,  and  glory  of  both.  But  since  we  have 
changed  our  course,  our  councils  have  been  distracted.  Wicked, 
designing  demagogues  have  been  raised  to  places  of  trust  and 
power,  and  God  is  frowning  upon  us. 

As  immorality  increases,  dissipation,  idleness,  prodigality,  and 
debauchery,  as  natural  results,  increase ;  men  neglect  their  busi- 
ness— have  little  or  no  stimulus  to  energetic,  self-denying  effort, 
and  useful  enterprise.  The  man  compelled  to  labor,  or  allowed 
to  trifle  on  the  Sabbath,  is  training  up  for  any  thing,  rather  than 
a  good  citizen,  and  a  benefactor  of  his  race. 

FRIENDS   OF   LIBERTY   AND   OF   FREE   INSTITUTIONS, 

Will  find  a  most  deadly  foe  in  the  sin  of  Sabbath-breaking. 
We  might  as  well  dream,  and  talk  of  the  perpetuity  of  liberty^ 
of  free  and  benevolent  institutions,  among  the  wild,  wandering 
Arabs,  as  among  a  people  who  will  not  reverence  the  Sabbath. 
Civil  liberty,  ardent  piety,  and  Christian  privilege,  are  too  close- 
26* 


306  THE    SABBATH. 

ly  allied  ever  to  be  separated.  The  one  cannot  long  be  che- 
rished without  the  other.  When  a  nation  bids  farewell  to  one, 
the  other  soon  follows,  as  a  matter  of  course. 

A  form  of  religion,  or  an  established  national  religion,  under  a 
monarchy,  may  exist,  where  civil  liberty  does  not,  but  this  does 
not  affect  the  remark  just  made. 

Wherever  active,  ardent  piety,  such  as  is  approved  of  God,  is 
controlling  the  feelings  of  a  whole  nation,  or  the  majority,  that 
nation  cannot  long  be  governed  by  a  haughty  despot.  The  reli- 
gion of  the  Bible  inculcates  love,  equality,  kuidness,  righteous 
conduct  toward  all  men ;  and  just  so  far  as  this  spirit  prevails, 
so  far  will  civil  liberty  and  free  institutions  flourish  ;  and  here 
again,  let  it  be  remarked,  that  the  Sabbath  lies  at  the  founda- 
tion of  all  these  blessings.  Should  not  this  class  of  men,  then, 
exert  all  their  influence  in  procuring,  for  this  day,  all  that  reve- 
rence and  regard  which  God  has  demanded  for  it  ? 

FRIENDS   OF   GOOD   ORDER, 

Are  also  deeply  interested  in  the  question  under  consideration. 
If  the  Christian  religion  cannot  be  propagated  and  sustained 
without  the  Sabbath,  then  it  is  important,  in  order  to  our  per- 
sonal safety,  and  the  safety  of  our  property,  and  of  all  we  hold 
dear  in  this  life,  that  we  awake  to  the  salvation  of  this  institu- 
tion. Where  there  is  no  Sabbath,  no  Bible,  and  nothing  better 
than  the  misnamed  morality  of  men,  to  govern  and  direct  this 
fallen,  degraded  race,  it  is  certain  that  the  will  of  every  man,  or 
of  otie  man,  is  the  supreme  law ;  and  the  tomahawk,  the  dirk, 
the  bludgeon,  powder  and  ball,  are  its  executioners.  War,  theft, 
rapine,  and  murder,  follow  in  their  train ;  and  the  strongest  takes 
what  he  can  find,  and  keeps  all  he  can  get,  till  a  stronger  or  more 
artful  than  he  comes  upon  him,  and  despoils  him  of  his  plun- 
dered possessions.  We  need  but  little  acquaintance  with  the 
history  of  past  ages,  to  know  the  truth  of  these  remarks. 

Then,  how  much  we  owe  to  the  influence  of  the  Sabbath  ! 
All  our  peace  and  comfort,  and  the  safety  of  our  lives  and  pro- 
perty. Shall  we  willingly  sufier  this  blessed  and  amply  suffi- 
cient safeguard  of  all  that  is  dear  to  us,  to  be  wrested  from  our 
hands  without  an  effort  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  it  ? 


APPEAL   IN  BEHALF   OF.  307 

BUSINESS-IVIEN,   IVIERCHANTS,   MANTJFACTTJRERS,   TRAVELING  GENTLE- 
MEN,  &C. 

It  appears,  on  examination,  that  business-men,  merchants, 
mechanics,  manufacturers,  and  traveling  gentlemen,  are  the 
great  mainspring  of  all  the  Sabbath-breaking  on  our  canals,  rail 
and  stage  roads,  in  our  Postoffices,  and  harbors,  &c.  &c. 

But  who  are  these,  that  are  the  mainspring  of  so  much  evil  ? 
They,  as  a  body,  are  the  wealthy,  the  respectable,  the  intelli- 
gent, the  industrious,  the  moral,  the  influential,  the  trusty,  the 
praiseworthy — the  business  men  of  this  nation.  They  build  our 
churches,  educate,  hire,  and  support  our  ministers ;  print  Bibles 
and  tracts ;  send  missionaries  to  the  heathen ;  collect  and  sus- 
tain Sabbath  schools ;  assemble  on  God's  holy  day,  with  their 
families,  and  listen  to  the  words  of  eternal  life ;  and  some  of 
them  sit  around  the  communion  table,  and  weep,  when  they 
think  of  the  scenes  of  Calvary,  and  of  a  world  lying  in  wicked- 
ness. We  speak  of  these  men  as  a  body,  for  there  are  excep- 
tions. If  these  men  are  the  mainspring  of  Sabbath-breaking, 
will  any  one  say  that  the  evil  cannot  be  removed  ?  That,  if 
they  should  be  convinced  that  the  course  they  are  pursuing  puts 
the  Sabbath-breaker  in  motion,  or  that  their  right  influence 
would  lead  all  men  to  rest  on  the  Lord's  day,  they  cannot  be 
prevailed  on  to  confess  their  faults,  and  retrace  their  steps? 
Yes,  they  can  be  convinced,  and  they  can  be  prevailed  on  to 
change  their  course,  and  Sabbath-breaking  can  be  done  away  in 
our  land. 

Let  us  look  at  facts,  and  see  whether  these  men  are  in  fault, 
and  who  are  responsible  in  this  matter.  In  the  first  place  it 
may  be  asked,  would  there  have  been  any  canals,  rail-roads, 
stage-routes,  mail  contracts,  steam  navigation,  ship  navigation, 
iron  foundries,  and  the  like,  had  this  class  of  persons  never  ex- 
isted ;  and  since  these  valuable  improvements  have  been  made, 
if  all  these  men  would  say,  none  of  our  business  shall  be  done 
on  the  Lord's  day,  would  there  be  a  Sunday  mail,  Sunday-travel- 
ing steamboats,  packet-boats,  line-boats,  cars,  stages,  or  any  ha- 
bitual Sabbath-breaking  establishment  ?    Surely  not,  for  it  is  on 


308  THE   SAEBATH. 

account  of  these  business  men  mostly,  that  we  need  a  mail,  and 
those  facilities  for  traveling  and  transportation. 

All  the  stagemen,  boatmen,  carmen,  and  sailors,  are  in  their 
employ ;  by  them  they  are  set  at  work,  from  them  they  receive 
their  wages,  and  but  for  them,  they  would  stop  their  stages, 
boats,  cars,  &;c.  Should  these  business  men  address  those  in 
their  employ,  and  say.  We  wish  you  for  the  future  to  make  such 
arrangements  in  regard  to  our  business  as  will  in  no  way  inter- 
fere with  the  Sabbath ;  we  will  not  have  our  letters,  our  mer- 
chandise transported  on  that  day ;  we  will  not  labor,  or  travel 
ourselves  ;  you  may  ^o  on  in  the  business  as  heretofore,  except 
carrying  our  goods  and  letters  on  Sunday;,  we  shall  pay  you 
the  same  wages ;  you  may  do  the  work  still ;  would  any  of 
them  demur  and  contmue  their  Sabbath  labor  ? 

But,  as  all  these  business  men  are  not  possessed  of  that  Bible 
morality  which  might  lead  them  unanimously  to  fall  in  with 
this  arrangement,  how  shall  this  kuid  of  Sabbath-breaking  be 
abolished,  and  how  does  it  appear  that  they  are  responsible  for 
the  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath  ?  There  is  a  sufficient 
number  in.  that  class  who  love  the  Sabbath,  to  effect  a  change, 
if  they  would  use  their  influence ;  and  if  they  withhold  that  in- 
fluence, they  must  be  responsible. 

But  what  are  the  objections  to  an  entire  cessation  of  business 
on  Sunday  ?  And  who  would  object  ?  The  merchant  could 
make  no  reasonable  objections,  for  his  goods  would  be  received 
as  soon  as  his  neighbors.  The  proprietors  of  forwarding  lines 
and  stages,  could  lose  nothuig  by  the  arrangement ;  but,  in  the 
renewed  strength  and  vigor  of  their  men  and  beasts  of  burden, 
would  be  great  gainers.  Captains  of  boats  would  lose  nothing, 
for  their  wages  would  be  the  same  ;  if  there  should  be  an  addi- 
tional expense  in  boarding  passengers,  there  must  be  an  addi- 
tional charge.  Common  laborers  in  the  boating  or  stagmg  bu- 
siness would  not  complain,  for  rest  is  what  they  need,  as  often 
as  the  Sabbath  returns.  Then  they  could  repair  to  the  Sunday 
school,  the  Bethel,  the  chapel,  and  add  a  new  lustre  to  their 
intellectual  and  moral  character;  and  live  in  the  enjoyment  of 
those  privileges,  without  which,  (the  rest  of  the  community  en- 
joying them,)  they   must  sink  to  degradation  and  wo,  while 


APPEAL  IN  BEHALF  OF.  309 

Others  rise  to  respectability  and  happiness.  The  innkeeper  will 
not  complain,  for  while  he  furnishes  his  guest  with  a  comforta- 
ble repast  on  that  day,  he  and  his  family  can  rest,  attend  public 
worship,  and  on  Monday,  receive  a  fair  compensation  for  trouble 
and  supplies.  If  any  class  of  the  community  complain,  it  will 
be  the  traveling  class ;  for  it  will  cost  the  traveler  an  extra  ta- 
vern bill,  and  perhaps  some  will  say,  the  loss  of  one  day  in  seven. 
But  it  should  be  remembered  that  the  farmer  and  mechanic, 
when  they  rest  from  their  labors,  lose  one  day  in  seven,  if  it  be 
a  loss,  and  why  should  the  traveler,  the  boatman,  and  stageman, 
have  a  right  to  more  time  than  the  farmer  and  mechanic  ?  They 
board  their  hands,  and  lose  their  labor,  when  laborers  work  for 
them  by  the  month  or  the  year,  as  many  of  them  do. 

But  it  is  not  right  to  call  that  day  lost,  when  spent  in  its  ap- 
propriate way,  to  prepare  for  heaven.  Whose  is  the  money 
which  is  demanded  for  the  extra  bill  ?    Who  gives  us  our  time  1 

If  those  who  now  travel  and  do  business  on  that  day,  continue 
the  practice,  others  will  follow  their  example,  until  all  classes 
of  men  will  attend  to  their  business  on  Sunday,  and  the  Sabbath 
will  no  longer  adorn  our  weeks,  and  summon  the  pilgrim  to 
the  temple  of  religious  worship. 

Since  then,  some  may  object  to  ceasing  from  all  labor  during 
holy  time — and  we  know  not  how  many — let  us  suppose,  that 
half  of  the  number  mentioned  above,  as  the  mainspring  of  this 
evil,  object  to  it;  though  we  do  not  believe  one  quarter  or  even 
one  eighth  will  do  so,  when  properly  enlightened.  Who  are 
these  ?  Only  disbelievers  in  the  Bible,  (and  not  half  of  their 
number,)  the  dissipated,  the  dissolute,  the  ignorant,  the  immoral, 
the  uninfluential ;  those  who  do  not  love  their  country,  but  are 
bad  members  of  society.  Every  enlightened,  unprejudiced  mind, 
will  see  that  this  is  their  character ;  and  what  is  the  weight  of 
their  influence,  when  put  into  the  scale  against  the  influence  of 
those  in  favor  of  this  day  ?  What  effect  can  the  objection  have, 
when  presented  to  those  who  are  now  in  the  emplojTuent  of 
these  business  men  ?  Whose  wishes  will  prevail,  those  of  the 
man  who  would  have  the  Sabbath  observed,  or  of  him  who 
would  blot  it  out  ? 

Those  who  are  now  transporting  our  wares  and  merchandise, 


310  THE   SABBATH. 

our  letters  and  ourselves,  are  men  of  good  feeling,  candor,  in- 
telligence, and  discrimination ;  and  think  you,  they  cannot  see 
on  which  side  the  right  is;  on  which  side  lie  the  moral  worth, 
the  intelligence,  the  influence,  and  the  wealth  of  their  petition- 
ers ? .  For  we  would  have  all  these  business  men  make  use  of 
arguments,  reason,  and  good  common  sense,  to  bring  about  this 
change,  and  they  can  prevail. 

The  men,  thus  employed,  cannot  stand  uninterested  spectators 
while  we  discuss  and  determine  this  great  question  ;  for  they  do 
know,  though  they  may  not  all  feel  the  obligation  they  are  under 
to  obey  God,  that  it  would  be  much  for  their  interest  and  com- 
fort, to  rest  one  day  in  seven.  Their  drivers,  boatmen,  and 
runners,  would  be  more  intelligent,  civil,  trusty,  and  moral,  than 
they  are  under  present  arrangements ;  and  their  teams  would 
be  kept  in  better  plight,  live  much  longer,  and  go  more  briskly. 
In  every  point  of  view,  then,  the  benefits,  in  the  mmds  of  these 
men,  would  preponderate  in  favor  of  resting  as  often  as  the  Sab- 
bath returns ;  and  we  feel  most  confident  they  would  rejoice  to 
doit. 

A  word  respecting  our  letters  and  packages.  Let  those  re- 
member who  have  demanded  a  Sunday  mail,  that  if  all  business 
were  dispensed  with  on  that  day,  no  other  evil  than  a  delay  of 
one  day  in  seven  can  result  from  it ;  for  in  that  case,  one  man 
could  not  receive  intelligence  of  any  important  business  or  event 
sooner  than  another.  The  delay  cannot  be  a  sufficient  excuse 
for  compelling  thirty  or  forty  thousand  of  our  citizens  to  break 
the  laws  of  God,  and  thereby  expose  themselves  to  eternal  mise- 
ry. Think  for  a  moment  of  the  condition  of  those  men  you 
thus  employ,  to  gratify  your  curiosity,  or  add  a  little  to  your 
worldly  gain.  Most  of  them  come  to  you  poor,  possibly  are  far 
from  home,  out  of  money,  and  out  of  employment.  Perhaps 
they  have  been  cradled  in  the  lap  of  piety,  and  have  covenanted 
to  keep  the  Sabbath  holy.  But  what  shall  they  do  ?  You  want 
their  services,  and  they  would  be  glad  to  render  them ;  but  how 
can  they  work  on  Sunday,  and  sin  against  God  ?  These  re- 
marks will  apply  to  hundreds  of  thousands  of  others,  who  seek 
for  employment  in  other  ways,  and  think  they  cannot  obtain  it, 
without  laboring  on  holy  time.     Though  all  of  them  ought  to 


APPEAL  IN  BEHALF  OF.  311 

refuse  to  violate  the  commands  of  God,  at  all  times,  and  under 
all  circumstances,  yet  the  love  of  gain,  or  absolute  necessity,  as 
they  think,  drives  them  to  disobey  him.  How  dare  you,  for  the 
paltry  benefit  you  hope  to  derive,  during  your  short  life,  take 
upon  yourselves  the  responsibility  of  causing  these  little  ones, 
these  poor  people,  to  disobey  God  ?  How  dare  you,  for  such  a 
consideration,  venture  to  turn  these  youths  from  the  path  of  duty, 
throw  around  their  minds  the  chains  of  ignorance,  introduce 
them  into  the  society  of  the  vicious  and  debauched,  where  they 
will  learn  the  vocabulary  of  hell,  and  become  unfitted  for  use- 
fulness in  this  world,  because  they  are  entirely  shut  out  from 
religious  privileges  ?  Dare  you  go  to  the  judgment  and  meet 
these  men,  who  have  spent  their  time  and  wasted  their  strength 
in  faithfully  laboring  to  promote  your  interests,  while  you  have 
been  labormg  as  effectually  to  deprive  them  of  their  dearest 
rights  and  brightest  privileges,  adapted  to  make  them  useful 
here,  and  happy  hereafter  ?  Think  of  it  as  you  will,  "  for  all 
these  things  God  will  bring  you  into  judgment ;"  and  you  must 
then  answer,  not  only  for  all  the  evil  these  men  may  be  allowed 
to  commit,  but  for  the  loss  of  all  the  good  they  otherwise  might 
have  accomplished ;  the  blessedness  they  might  have  enjoyed, 
and  for  the  evils  they  must  suffer ;  and  all  this,  for  the  privilege, 
(dear  bought  privilege  !)  of  having  a  Sunday  mail. 

Let  us  now,  in  a  few  words,  show  hoio  these  merchants, 
traveluig  and  business  men  are  the  mainspring  of  Sabbath- 
breaking.  They  go  to  the  great  commercial  cities,  buy  goods, 
order  them  shipped  in  \he  first  boat,  give  special  orders  to  have 
them  forwarded  with  as  little  delay  as  possible.  Their  goods 
must  not  lie  by  on  Sunday.  Hence  the  necessity,  says  the  ship- 
captain,  of  my  labor,  and  the  labor,  on  each  Sunday,  of  all  my 
men ;  and,  says  the  boat-captain,  of  my  labor,  and  the  labor  of 
my  men.  The  goods  must  be  shipped  and  unshipped :  boats 
must  be  towed,  warehouses  must  be  opened,  clerks  must  take 
account  of  the  goods,  receive  and  deliver  them,  locks  must  be 
tended,  clearances  obtained ;  and  thus  we  see  that  the  goods  of 
these  business  men  keep  constantly  at  work  custom-house  offi- 
cers, captains,  sailors,  boatmen,  and  carmen ;  lock-tenders,  clerks 
in  all  the  forwarding  establishments,  wagoners,  draymen,  and 


312  THE  SABBATH, 

a  thousand  others,  while  they  themselves  keep  the  stages  in 
motion,  and  exact  the  labor  of  proprietors,  agents,  drivers,  land- 
lords, runners,  mail-carriers,  postmasters,  porters,  ostlers,  coach- 
men, &c.  &c. ;  for  most  of  these,  while  away  from  home,  travel 
on  Sunday  as  on  other  days.  If  they  do  not,  those  who  are 
transporting  their  goods,  labor  with  their  horses  and  cattle,  and 
though  they  may  be  seated  in  the  sanctuary,  "  worshiping  God," 
at  the  same  time,  (strange  inconsistency !)  they  are  breaking 
the  Sabbath  by  those  whom  they  employ. 

Some  of  those  who  have  shipped  their  goods  from  New- York 
on  Friday  or  Saturday,  have  gone  to  Albany  and  stopped  to 
spend  the  Sabbath  ;  and,  while  they  were  in  the  house  of  God, 
at  the  communion  table,  there  were  perhaps  twenty  men  on  the 
dock,  taking  their  goods  from  the  vessel,  and  putting  them  into 
canal  boats ;  then  come  the  teams,  and  they  are  hurried  away. 
All  this  activity  and  bustle  are  witnessed,  in  some  places,  within 
sight  of  a  Bethel,  and  the  hearing  of  a  chaplain,  procured  for 
the  benefit  of  sailors ;  for  these  business  men,  these  good  men, 
cannot  suffer  their  goods  to  lie  by  on  Sunday  !  It  cannot  be 
that  they  know  how  much  they  are  doing  to  blot  out  the  Sab- 
bath. Thus  it  is  that  they,  though  unseen,  move  the  hands  that 
move  the  merchandise  and  drive  the  stages ;  that  play  the  bugle 
and  raise  the  steam. 

But  this  is  not  all.  These  men  build  steamboats,  canal  boats, 
stages,  take  mail  contracts,  hold  stock  in  Sabbath-breaking 
establishments,  and  thus  give  their  influence  to  increase  and 
perpetuate  this  great  evil.  These  are  some  of  the  ways  in 
which  they  move  the  wheel  that  is  rolling  the  Sabbath  into 
oblivion,  and  unless  they  stop  short  in  their  career,  it  will  soon 
have  gone  beyond  recovery. 

If,  in  the  temperance  reform,  we  hold  distillers  responsible  for 
the  mischiefs  which  ardent  spirits  occasion,  which  is,  doubtless, 
right,  surely,  on  the  same  principle,  may  we  hold  merchants, 
traveling  and  business  gentlemen,  responsible  for  the  evils  of 
Sabbath-breaking.  If  the  distiller  would  not  make  intoxicating 
drink,  drunkenness  would  cease;  and,  if  these  business  men 
would  not  employ  men  to  labor  for  them  on  Sunday,  Sabbath- 
breaking,  in  these  ways,  would  come  to  an  end. 


APPEAL    IN    BEHALF    OF.  "  313 

Though  there  are  others  guilty  of  this  sin,  their  influence  is 
small ;  and,  if  business  men  would  do  their  duty,  they  would 
soon  abandon  a  practice  which  must  call  down  upon  them,  the 
odium  and  disapprobation  of  every  good  man.  We  verily  be- 
lieve, if  merchants,  business  and  traveling  gentlemen,  or  only 
that  part  of  them  who  know  and  appreciate  the  value  of  the 
Sabbath,  would  use  their  influence  to  put  a  stop  to  all  business 
in  the  ways  above  mentioned,  on  the  day  of  rest,  it  might  be 
effected  in  less  than  one  year.  If  there  is  so  much  influence 
now^  which  might  be  exerted  on  the  side  of  the  Sabbath,  but  is 
not,  great  will  be  the  guilt  of  every  delinquent. 

THE   POOR   LABORER. 

Of  the  poor  laboring  part  of  the  community,  the  stage-driver, 
boatman,  carman,  sailor,  coachman,  porter,  steward,  milkman, 
ostler,  cook,  boot-black,  barber,  washer-woman,  and,  indeed,  of 
every  one  who  is  induced,  by  any  means,  to  labor  on  Sunday, 
let  it  be  asked.  Do  you  know  of  what  a  blessing  and  privilege 
you  are  deprived,  and  that  without  an  adequate  compensation  ? 

What  do  you  lose,  by  this  means,  in  this  life  ?  You  lose  the 
benefits  of  religious  worship.  If  that  is  instructive,  edifying, 
consoling,  encouraging,  purifying,  emiobling,  and  refining  in  its 
influence,  then  this,  of  itself,  is  the  loss  of  a  greater  good,  than 
can  be  purchased  by  all  the  gold  and  silver,  houses  and  lands, 
wares  and  merchandise,  ever  owned  or  beheld  by  your  employ- 
ers. Where  there  are  no  Sabbaths  observed,  nor  Christian 
assemblies  convened,  there  will  prevail  ignorance,  sloth,  dissi- 
pation, licentiousness,  profanity,  theft,  robbery,  and  other  evils, 
too  numerous  to  be  mentioned. 

It  is  but  a  few  years  since  Sabbath-breaking  has  become  so 
common;  been  sanctioned,  encouraged,  and  commanded  by  this 
nation.  It  is  but  a  few  years  since  public  opinion  would  allow 
a  man  to  live  and  fatten  on  the  hard  earnings  of  those  whom  he 
compelled  to  labor  on  Sunday :  but  a  few  years  since  laborers 
have  concluded  they  must  engage  for  such  men,  or  perish  with 
hunger.  It  seems  as  if  they  must  come  to  the  latter  alternative, 
and  that  too,  in  a  very  short  time,  unless  the  world  awake,  and 
21 


314  THE   SABBATH. 

put  a  Stop  to  this  oppression  of  our  fellow-raeii — this  sin  against 
our  own  souls,  our  country,  and  against  G-od. 

It  is  true,  there  are  yet  left  among  us  occupations  in  which 
men  may  engage,  and  not  \4olate  the  Sabbath  ;  but  they  are 
daily  growing  less  in  number,  and  do  not  make  a  sufficient 
demand  to  give  employment  to  all  our  laboring  fellow-citizens. 
But  those  who  have  the  charge  of  our  forwarding  and  trans- 
portation lines,  on  lakes,  rivers,  canals,  and  railroads,  where  the 
Sabbath  might  be  observed  ;  our  public  conveyances,  our  largest 
inns,  our  livery  establishments,  our  places  of  public  resort,  em- 
ploy, we  had  almost  said,  no  man  or  woman  but  such  as  will 
agree  to  labor  seven  days  for  a  week,  instead  of  six. 

It  is  said  by  those  who  have  the  means  of  knowing,  that 
many  of  those  employed  on  our  canals  and  steamboats,  and  in 
otn:  public  houses,  become  entirely  regardless  of  their  character, 
in  respect  to  honesty,  chastity,  morality,  and  religion.  It  is  not 
at  all  surprising  that  such  should,  ultimately,  become  the  cha- 
racter of  the  poor,  destitute,  homeless  ones  thus  situated — far 
from  their  native  place,  among  strangers,  all  professing  friend- 
ship, but  few,  if  any,  sincere  in  their  pretensions.  Usually  they 
have  no  Sabbaths,  no  religious  instruction,  few  religious  books; 
but  week  after  week  they  learn  to  desecrate  God's  holy  day,, 
hear  the  profane  oath  and  obscene  speech,  become  familiar  with 
deeds  of  darkness,  and  fall  to  rise  no  more. 

But  these  persons  are  out  of  employment.  They  have  no 
one  to  help  them ;  they  must  help  themselves.  Here  they  have 
fair  promises,  large  wages  offered,  and  kind  attentions  shown, 
to  seduce  them  from  their  abode  of  peace  and  innocence.  They 
consider  and  hesitate — think  of  the  dangers,  such  as  they  know, 
though  the  half  of  them  has  not  been  told.  They  venture  upon 
temptation,  though  resolving  to  resist ;  and,  alas,  a  few  years 
find  them,  not  only  poor,  but  wanton  and  wretched  !  Is  it  not 
a  solemn  and  an  alarming  fact,  that  these  laborers,  men  and 
women,  must  agree  to  disobey  God,  and  run  the  risk  of  their 
soul's  salvation,  before  they  can  be  allowed  to  enter  upon  their 
labors  !  From  these  schools  come  so  many  drunkards,  robbers, 
murderers,  and  harlots. 

Have  you  ever  looked  around  you,  dear  friends,  nay,  we  will 


APPEAL   IN   BEHALF    OF.  315 

call  you  injured^  oppressed  hrethren  and  sisters,  for  whose  wel- 
fare our  heart  bleeds,  have  you  ever  looked  around  and  seen 
where  you  are ;  to  what  you  are  coming ;  and  counted  the  vast- 
ness  of  your  numbers  in  this  state  of  unrighteous  servitude  ? 
not  allowed  the  privilege  of  rest  one  day  in  seven,  to  which  you 
are  entitled,  which  you  need,  and  which  God  designed  for  you  ! 
You  must  labor  for  your  employers  seven  days  in  the  week,  and 
receive  wages  but  for  six.  What  do  these  things  mean  ?  Surely 
they  mean  nothing  less  than  this,  if  translated  into  language, 
"  We  will  so  deal  with  a  certain  class  of  our  citizens,  that  it 
shall  necessarily  bring  them  to  that  ignorance,  poverty,  and 
degeneracy  of  intellect,  which  will  enable  us,  not  many  years 
hence,  to  make  them  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water, 
without  money  and  without  price."  Since  this  is  the  natural 
and  unavoidable  tendency  of  this  course  of  things,  is  it  possible 
that  there  can  be  found  among  you,  one  who  will  not  use  all 
his  or  her  influence  to  bring  about  so  desirable  a  state  of  things, 
as  the  universal  observance  of  the  fourth  commandment  ?  The 
Sabbath  was  especially  made  for  the  poor;  it  is  the  poor  man's 
friend.  Where  there  is  no  Sabbath,  the  poor  are  held  in  bond- 
age ;  but  where  there  is  a  Sabbath  duly  observed,  it  elevates 
them ;  they  become  intelligent,  respectable,  and  happy. 

There  is  yet  moral  influence  enough  in  this  land,  if  it  could  be 
brought  to  bear  on  this  point,  to  produce  a  speedy  change  for 
the  better ;  there  is  a  public  conscience,  which  will,  if  allowed, 
speak  with  a  voice  of  thrilling  eloquence,  and  loud  as  peals  of 
thunder,  awakening  the  moral  energies  of  this  nation,  against 
so  dangerous  and  deadly  a  foe,  as  Sabbath-breaking;  there  is 
philanthropy  enough  to  feel,  and,  putting  forth  eff'orts  watered 
with  her  tears,  to  adopt  and  execute  plans  which  shall  ensure 
the  success  of  this  benevolent  enterprise. 

Sabbath-breaking  lies  directly  across  the  path  of  our  benevo- 
lent objects,  especially  the  spiritual  improvement  of  boatmen 
and  seamen.  We  know  of  villages  where  may  be  seen  a  neat, 
convenient  chapel,  erected  for  the  benefit  of  watermen.  Every 
Sabbath,  waves  the  Bethel  flag,  calling  upon  men  to  come  and 
hear  the  words  of  eternal  life.  But,  alas,  few  obey  the 
gracious  call !      The  sailor  toils  on,  boatmen  blow  their  horns, 


316  THE  SABBATH. 

Strike  their  music,  and  sail  away:  the  shipmaster  with  his 
many  hands,  plies  the  mallet  and  the  chisel,  and  sings  the 
merry  song,  while  all  around  and  within  the  warehouse,  is  busi- 
ness, bustle,  and  confusion.  Go  into  the  Bethel,  and  there 
sighs  the  pious,  devoted  chaplain,  anxiously  waiting  the  attend- 
ance of  some  twenty  or  thirty,  who  are  watching  an  opportunity 
to  go  to  the  meeting  imobserved. 

THE    GREAT   VALLEY. 

Looking  over  the  great,  flourishing,  beautiful,  and  rapidly 
growing  villages  of  the  Western  Valley,  traveling  from  river  to 
river,  canal  to  canal,  railway  to  railway,  from  state  to  state,  and 
from  mountain  to  mountain,  one  would  almost  believe  that  the 
Sabbath  had  been  lost.  If  one  could  take  his  stand  next  Lord's 
day,  upon  the  highest  summit  of  the  Alleghany,  or  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  survey  the  vale  below,  his  eye  would  see  the 
smoke  ascending  from  six  or  eight  hundred  steam-boats  as  they 
majestically  glide  over  the  broad  and  deep  Amazon  of  North 
America,  her  tributaries,  and  other  waters ;  and  riding  on  their 
bosom  innumerable  other  vessels,  and  smaller  craft,  bound  to 
their  thousand  ports. 

From  this  prospect  he  turns  to  the  canals.  Here  also  aJl  is 
bustle  and  hurry.  Again  he  looks,  and  his  eye  catches  the  long 
train  of  cars,  scattered  here  and  there  over  the  country.  With 
the  velocity  of  the  wind,  they  carry  their  thousands  from  village 
to  village,  until  they  are  lost  in  the  distance.  He  looks  again, 
and  sees  many  thousand  stages  loaded  with  passengers,  and  per- 
haps thirty  thousand  private  carriages,  with  emigrants,  or 
loaded  with  the  business  men  and  men  of  pleasure,  of  this  great 
valley,  except  as  may  be  seen  here  and  there  a  traveler  from  the 
East,  or  the  North.  Now  his  eye  rests  upon  the  cities  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  valley.  Business  and  pleasure  seem  to  be 
the  employment  of  by  far  the  majority  of  all  he  sees.  Here  and 
there  are  houses  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God,  but  few  enter- 
ing them.  At  New  Orleans,  crowds  are  rushing  into  the  gam- 
bling house,  hurrying  to  the  theatre,  to  dissipation,  to  scenes  of 
rioting  and  carnal  pleasure.  On  the  third  of  August,  1834,  he 
would  have  seen  twenty  tables  set,  and  more  than  twelve  hun- 


APPEAL   IN  BEHALF   OF.  317 

dred  guests  around  them,  at  a  public  dinner,  on  Sunday,  with 
crowds  of  others  about  the  city,  celebrating  the  triumph  of  one 
political  party  over  another.  Here  is  a  hunting,  there  a  fishing 
party,  horse-racing,  and  numberless  other  amusements.  At  the 
North  the  prospect  is  a  little  brighter.  But  even  there  the  Sab- 
bath seems  almost  aimihilated. 

Sometimes  we  have  been  led  to  inquire,  when  looking  over 
this  extensive  country,  ten  times  as  large  as  the  kingdom  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  admitting  of  a  most  dense  population, 
designed  to  give  support  to  a  greater  number  of  inhabitants 
than  all  the  other  portions  of  the  United  States,  what  is  to  be 
the  moral  character  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  great  valley  fifty 
years  hence,  and  what  will  be  the  character  of  the  laws  they 
will  give  to  this  nation  ? 

But  as  we  leave  this  valley  for  the  Atlantic  cities,  almost 
every  boat,  stage,  and  car,  is  filled  with  passengers  on  Sunday. 
In  Baltimore  at  one  time,  six  or  eight  hundred  persons  may  be 
seen  profaning  the  Sabbath,  by  riding  to  or  from  that  city  in  the 
cars.  Hundreds  and  hundreds  are  reaching  or  leaving  it,  by 
steam  boats  and  vessels.  Stages  and  private  carriages  are  load- 
ed ;  and  during  the  day,  0  how  many  of  her  citizens  profane 
holy  time  ! 

H*  Philadelphia  and  New  York  present  a  similar  scene.  The 
boats,  stages,  private  carriages  and  cars,  which  leave  the  city  of 
New  York  on  that  day,  groan  under  their  more  than  ordinary 
burthens.  Many  steam  boats  advertise  to  carry  parties  of  pleasure 
on  Sunday.  Who  can  tell  the  number  of  persons  who  take  the 
rail  cars  and  coaches  for  Yorkville  and  Harlem  on  the  first  day 
of  the  week ;  the  thousands  who  ride  to  Hoboken,  to  Long  Isl- 
and, Staten  Island,  Sandy  Hook,  and  other  places  of  resort  ? — 
the  number  of  cattle  and  sheep  driven  into  the  city  ? — how  many 
are  butchered,  how  many  fowls  dressed,  how  many  vegetables, 
and  how  much  fruit,  collected  on  Sunday,  for  Monday's  market  ? 
How  many  saunter  about  the  city,  and  in  other  ways  profane 
holy  time  ? 

It  is  said,  that  out  of  the  1,400,000  inhabitants  in  London, 
500,000  do  not  habitually  attend  religious  worship  of  any  kind. 
Out  of  seven  or  800,000  in  Paris,  not  more  than  60,000  pretend  to 
27* 


318  THE  SAEBATH. 

have  any  regard  to  the  Christian  Sabbath.  In  that  city,  Sundays 
can  be  distinguished  from  the  other  days  of  the  week,  by  the 
additional  amount  of  festivity,  dissipation,  and  licentiousness. 
What  will  prevent  this  nation  from  arriving  at  the  same  state  of 
immorality  ?  Nothing  but  a  due  observance  of  the  Sabbath. 
But  it  is  not  with  us,  as  it  was  twenty  or  thirty  years  ago,  when 
we  had  few  Sunday  mails,  no  canals,^no  railroads,  no  steam- 
boats, few  stages,  if  any,  that  did  business  on  Sunday.  Now 
nearly  or  quite  one-tenth  of  our  population,  it  is  believed,  ha- 
bitually labor  on  that  day  in  a  manner  in  which  they  could  not 
have  labored  twenty  years  ago.  All  these,  with  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  others,  are  learning  to  contemn  God  and  trample 
under  their  feet  his  most  sacred  institutions.  Even  in  the  silent 
retreats  of  New  England,  this  evil  is  growing  with  the  growth 
of  the  country,  and  the  increase  of  the  facilities  for  traveling  and 
transportation. 

O  could  the  Christian  public  know  the  moral  character  of  the 
boys  and  girls  now  thus  employed,  and  reflect  that  soon  their 
numbers  may  be  increased  twenty  fold ;  and  think  of  the  millions 
of  our  fellow  citizens,  who,  by  their  example  and  influence,  will 
be  drawn  into  the  same  sink  of  pollution  and  sin,  how  would 
they  call  for  the  Sabbath,  that  they  might  hear  and  obey  the 
precepts  of  the  gospel ! 

Christians,  philanthropists,  and  patriots,  have  already  slum- 
bered too  long.  Our  Sabbaths,  which  furnish  the  greatest  se- 
curity to  our  individual  and  national  prosperity,  in  reality^  are 
almost  gone,  though  few  seem  to  know  it. 

When  the  Lord  punished  his  ancient  people,  he  often  told 
them,  it  was  because  they  kept  not  his  Sabbaths,  but  polluted 
them.  The  nobles,  who  profaned  the  Sabbath,  brought  more 
"  wrath  upon  Israel."  God  always  has  punished,  and  always 
will  punish,  nations  and  communities  in  this  life,  if  they  keep 
not  his  Sabbaths.  Since  this  nation  began,  openly  and  habitually, 
to  profane  holy  time,  we  have  been  experiencing  judgments  from 
heaven.  Diseases  are  more  numerous,  malignant,  and  fatal. 
Men  in  active  life  and  firm  health,  in  great  numbers,  die  sudden- 
ly. Our  councils  are  distracted.  We  suffer  losses  and  derange- 
ment in  that  department  which  is  most  open  in  trampling  on  the 


APPEAL   IN  BEHALF  OF.  319 

Lord's  day.  Kiots  are  becoming  common ;  wicked  men  are  not 
only  hating  Christians,  but  Christians  are  "  biting  and  devouring 
one  another."  We  have  desolating  storms  of  rain  and  had.  Blast- 
ing, mildew,  and  drought  have  cut  oflfmany  of  our  crops.  Fires 
are  laying  waste  our  cities.  Men  are  becoming  treacherous,  su- 
premely selfish,  covetous,  aspiring.  But,  like  Pharaoh,  after  he 
had  called  his  magicians  to  compete  with  Moses  and  Aaron,  we 
have  concluded  that  these  things  are  not  intended  diS  judgments, 
that  it  is  not  God  who  has  done  it ;  and  we,  therefore,  hold  on 
to  our  sin.     It  was  not  thus  twenty  years  ago. 

No  people  can  retain  G-od  in  their  knowledge,  unless  they  ob- 
serve and  keep  his  Sabbaths.  No  government  can  long  exist 
without  a  Sabbath,  imless  founded  in  ignorance  and  sustained  by 
physical  force.  Every  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  therefore,  and 
every  effort  to  abolish  it,  is  an  attack  upon  the  government  under 
which  we  live.  These  acts  and  efforts  continued,  and  the  super- 
structure falls.  God  will  come  out  against  a  people  that  will  not 
give  to  his  service  that  portion  of  time  which  he  requires ;  and 
no  nation  can  stand  when  he  rises  up  against  it. 

We  are  in  the  greater  danger,  because  ministers  and  people 
think  there  is  little  or  no  cause  of  alarm.  But  there  is  cause  of 
alarm.  This  nation  is  preparing  for  an  awful  doom,  an  untimely 
overthrow.  God's  patience  will  not  always  endure.  He  cannot 
save  us,  if  we  will  not  keep  his  Sabbaths,  stay  in  the  ark,  and 
do  the  things  which  he  has  required  for  our  safety. 

The  friends  of  the  Sabbath  are  not  confined  to  one  sect  or  de- 
nomination of  Christians,  for  it  is  equally  valuable  and  important 
to  all.  Not  one  of  them  can  rise  and  prosper  without  its  influ- 
ence. They  may  think  differently  with  regard  to  the  best  means 
to  promote  its  observance ;  but  this  should  not  cause  any  of  its 
friends  to  abandon  the  object,  or  treat  unkindly  any  one  who 
would  promote  it.  If  we  disagree  about  these  means,  and  o/?- 
pose  one  another,  we  shall  not  succeed.  We  do  not  say  that  all 
must  labor  in  our  way,  but  hope  all  will  labor  in  the  best  way. 
Oh  then,  let  not  one  Christian,  or  one  denomination  of  Christians, 
oppose,  or  wait  for  another  to  lead,  in  this  enterprise.  Do  we 
not  hear  all,  whether  in  a  palace,  a  thatched  cottage,  or  a  rude 
hovel  —  surrounded  by  enlightened,  liberal,  and   affectionate 


320  THE   SABBATH. 

friends,  and  enjoying  liberty,  or  incarcerated  in  a  dungeon — yes, 
all  men,  who  love  themselves  and  their  country,  or  their  God, 
with  one  united  voice  exclaim,  Truly  the  violation  of  the  fourth 
commandment  has  become  alarmingly  prevalent,  and  threatens 
the  utter  destruction  of  all  that  is  dear,  encouraging,  and  con- 
soling in  religion ;  all  that  is  safe,  equal,  and  ennobling  in  our 
political  condition ;  all  that  is  elevating  and  instructive  in  litera- 
ture, and  all  that  is  profitable  in  the  arts  and  sciences ;  we  will, 
therefore,  in  future,  abstain  from  this  sin  ourselves,  and  use  all 
our  influence  to  persuade  others  to  do  the  same. 

Let  every  man,  then,  in  every  place  and  under  all  circum- 
stances, as  often  as  the  Sabbath  returns,  leave  his  worldly  busi- 
ness and  sanctify  it.  Every  man  must  do  this.  It  is  the  com- 
mand of  an  infinite  God ;  and  as  we  value  his  protection  and 
blessing,  as  we  would  secure  the  peace,  happiness,  and  prosper- 
ity of  our  friends  and  country,  it  becomes  us  at  once  to  submit 
to  his  authority. 

PLAN   OF    OPERATIONS. 

Let  every  Christian  begin  at  home,  and  regulate  his  own  life 
and  conduct,  so  as  not  to  participate  in  this  sin.  The  church,  of 
course,  will  feel  under  obligation  to  call  to  account  any  of  their 
number  who  desecrate  the  Sabbath. 

L  Resolutions  suitable  to  he  adopted. 

"  Believing  that  all  attention,  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  to 
worldly  business,  except  such  as  is  required  by  works  of  piety 
and  mercy,  or  in  promotion  of  our  spiritual  good  and  that  of 
others,  is  a  violation  of  the  divine  will,  and  injurious  to  the  civil, 
social,  and  religious  interests  of  man,  we,  therefore,  agree  that 
we  will  not  participate  in  thissin  :" 

1.  By  traveling  on  business  or  for  pleasure. 

2.  By  making  or  receiving  visits. 

3.  By  going  or  sending  to  the  Postoffice. 

4.  By  holding  stock  in  boats,  cars,  stages,  or  other  establish- 
ments which  are  employed  in  violating  the  Sabbath. 

5.  By  worldly  conversation  or  secular  reading. 

6.  By  allowing  our  household,  or  strangers,  when  within  our 
gates,  to  profane  holy  time. 


PLAN   OF   OPERATIONS.  321 

II.  "  The  earth  was  without  form  and  void,"  until  "  God  said, 
Let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light ;"  and  Sabbath-breaking 
will  exist,  and  increase,  until  there  is  more  light  on  the  subject. 
This  light  must  emanate  from  the  pulpit,  the  press,  and  through 
the  instrumentality  of  traveling  agents. 

III.  Let  merchants,  manufacturers,  and  traveling  gentlemen, 
who  value  the  Sabbath,  and  the  blessings  which  accompany  it, 
by  thousands,  sign  the  following  declaration,  viz  : — 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  believing  that  the  command  to  remem- 
ber the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy,  extends  to  all  men ;  and 
wishing,  not  only  to  enjoy  the  rest  of  that  day  ourselves,  but  to 
allow  the  privilege  to  others,  do  hereby  express  our  willingness 
and  desire  to  have  our  business,  in  all  respects,  so  transacted  as 
not  to  require  the  attention  or  labor  of  any  man  on  the  Christian 
Sabbath." 

IV.  Next  invite  all  who  do  business  on  Sunday,  or  cause  it  to 
be  done,  to  make  such  arrangements  as  will  not  interfere  with 
the  sacred  rest  of  that  institution.  There  is  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve the  invitation  would  be  joyfully  received  and  promptly 
complied  with.  During  all  this  process,  the  only  means  to  bring 
about  so  desirable  a  change  are,  moral  suasion,  the  presentation 
of  facts,  truth  pressed  home  upon  the  conscience ;  light. — "  Let 

THERE  BE  LIGHT." 

Such  an  arrangement  can  injure  no  man.  All  our  business 
would  be  transacted  as  it  now  is,  with  the  exception  of  resting 
one  day  ui  seven;  which  every  man,  after  six  days  of  labor,  needs, 
as  also  the  weary  animal  which  toils  for  his  benefit.  On  this 
plati,  no  business  man,  or  traveling  gentleman,  would  have  an 
advantage  over  his  neighbor ;  for  all  would  rest  from  secular 
employment,  as  often  as  the  Sabbath  dawned  upon  our  land. 
Then,  while  we  were  at  rest,  our  son  and  our  daughter,  our  man 
servant  and  our  maid  servant,  our  cattle,  and  the  stranger  within 
our  gates,  might  rest,  as  God  has  commanded,  and  as  their  con- 
stitution requires. 

There  is  no  more  difficulty  in  closing  our  business,  when  the 
Sabbath  commences,  than  there  is  when  enshrouded  by  the  cur- 
tains of  evening,  or  when  driven  from  it  by  a  storm  of  wind  and 
hail ;  or  by  the  destruction  and  the  pestilence. 


322  THE  SABBATH. 

The  divine  arrangement  is,  that  man  and  beast  shall  have  one 
day  in  seven  for  rest ;  and  the  man  who  disregards  the  will  of 
his  Maker,  the  claims  of  our  nature,  and  the  good  of  the  crea- 
tures which  God  has  made,  cannot  be  a  philanthropist,  a  good 
member  of  society,  a  friend  to  his  own  best  interest,  or  a  Chris- 
tian. A  nation  of  Sabbath-breakers  is  a  nation  of  infidels.  A 
nation  of  infidels  is  a  stranger  to  liberty,  to  enlightened  patriot- 
ism, to  good  will  to  men,  to  charity,  to  peace,  to  rational  hope, 
to  joy. 

The  Sabbath  was  made  for  man ;  for  every  man,  in  every  age. 
His  frail  body  needs  it ;  his  soul  cannot  prosper  without  it;  good 
morals  and  enlarged  benevolence  cannot  long  exist  without  it. 
This  institution  is  the  best  detector  of  a  man's  morality.  Blot 
it  out,  and  you  annihilate  the  blessings  of  revelation,  and  sink 
into  ignorance,  degradation,  and  anarchy. 

Daily  observation  shows,  that  there  is  great  diversity  of  opin- 
ion, even  among  the  friends  of  the  Sabbath,  in  regard  to  the 
manner  in  which  its  observance  can  be  best  secured.  Letters, 
just  received,  express  doubts  of  the  expediency  of  adopting  any 
measures  which  shall  be  recognised  as  tending  to  that  object. 
Others,  and  by  far  the  greatest  number,  say  that  something  must 
be  done  to  redeem  the  Sabbath,  for  we  are  all  sinking  together. 
Some  advise  to  print  a  paper,  for  the  purpose  of  pleading  the 
cause  of  the  Sabbath.  Others  say,  Send  men  to  preach  in  every 
congregation,  beginning  where  the  evil  is  most  prevalent.  Others 
still  say,  "  Pray — print — preach." 

There  is  no  hope  of  a  plan  which  will,  at  ^rs^,  meet  the  views 
of  all.  Men  who  see  comparatively  little  of  the  evil,  feel  differ- 
ently on  the  subject  from  those  who  are  constantly  observing  its 
progress. 

Under  such  circumstances  it  is  with  diflSdence  that  these  views 
and  suggestions  have  been  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the 
public. 

Christians  ought  to  remember  that  Christ  was  not  well  pleased 
with  those  disciples  who  forbade  the  man  to  cast  out  devils,  be- 
cause he  followed  not  them ;  but  said,  "  Forbid  him  not  *  *  * 
for  he  that  is  not  against  us  is  on  our  part."  "We  know  not  how 
much  injury  we  may  do  to  a  good  cause  by  opposing  measures 


PLAN   OF   OPERATIONS.  323 

which,  do  not  exactly  meet  our  approbation.  If  measures  pro- 
posed for  removing  any  evil  from  our  land  are  not  manifestly 
rash  and  unscriptural,  we  should  think  of  the  case  referred  to 
above,  before  we  throw  our  iafluence  into  the  opposite  scale. 
A  good  cause  ought  not  thus  to  be  put  down.  The  projector  of 
measures  is  nothing.  It  is  the  cause  which  we  are  called  upon 
to  aid. 

Cleveland,  June,  1834. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

ADDRESS    TO    BUSINESS    MEN. 

In  justice  to  business  men,  it  ought  to  be  said,  that  the  prac- 
tice into  which  many  of  them  have  fallen,  of  laboring  on  Sun- 
day, has  obtained,  rather  from  a  supposed  necessity  in  the  case, 
or  from  inconsideration,  than  from  any  preconcerted  plan  to  abol- 
ish the  Christian  Sabbath. 

There  is  much  intelligence,  respectability,  good  feeling  and 
commendable  enterprise  in  those  whom  we  now  address,  and 
with  them  is  most  of  the  wealth  and  the  influence  of  this  great 
nation.  They  are  men  of  thought,  candor,  and  discrimination ; 
willing  and  accustomed  to  look  at  subjects  fairly,  closely  to  ex- 
amine and  compare  facts,  and  draw  correct  conclusions ;  we  are 
therefore  the  more  encouraged  to  address  them  on  a  subject, 
which  should  interest  every  citizen  of  these  United  States. 

Is  it  too  much  to  say,  that  business  men  rule  the  nation  ? 
Their  enterprise,  which  by  railroads  and  canals,  has,  or  will 
overcome  all  difficulties  which  nature  has  thrown  in  the  way  of 
intercourse  and  communication,  is  distinguished  from  that  of  the 
founders  of  Babel,  the  ancient  pyramids,  and  the  huge  wall  of 
the  "celestial  empire,"  by  the  wisdom  and  utility  of  its  plans, 
and  for  the  means,  generally  unexceptionable,  by  which  they  are 
executed.  They  are  leveling  the  mountains,  exalting  the  val- 
leys, making  railroads  and  canals,  deepening  rivers,  widening, 
turning,  and  extending  their  channels  ;  so  that  boats  and  vessels 
can  already  be  seen,  not  only  on  the  waters  of  the  east,  but  also 
on  the  twenty-four  thousand  miles  of  steamboat  navigation  in  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi. 


ADDRESS   TO  BUSINESS  MEN.  325 

But  there  are  not  a  few  of  our  fellow  citizens  who  believe  that 
these  improvements  and  facilities,  most  desirable  under  proper 
regulations,  are  endangering  the  stability  of  our  government,  an- 
nihilating among  us  the  Christian  religion,  and  sinking  us  into 
anarchy  and  despotism. 

This  nation,  though  in  her  infancy,  is  great  in  prospect,  and 
mighty  in  resources.  A  few  years  since  her  territory  was  a  wil- 
derness— a  British  province  :  and  it  is  but  as  yesterday  since  she 
proclaimed  her  independence — entered  upon  an  experiment  of 
self-government,  untried  and  doubtful.  Nations  look  upon  her, 
some  with  hope,  others  with  fear  ;  some  with  jealousy,  and 
others  with  envy — all  admitting,  that,  should  this  attempt  fail, 
the  last  hope  of  banishing  despotism  from  the  world  would  ex- 
pire. Under  such  circumstances,  the  heart  of  ever}'-  American, 
proud  as  it  may  be  of  our  invaluable  privileges,  civil  and  reli- 
gious, cannot  regard  with  indifference  anything  which  has  a  ten- 
dency to  weaken  and  undermine,  or  to  establish  and  perpetuate 
them.  While  all  love  our  common  country  and  her  liberties, 
and  are  equally  interested  in  their  support,  most  it  is  believed 
are  agreed  in  the  sentiment,  that  a  republican  government  can 
be  sustained  and  perpetuated,  only  by  the  general  diffusion  of 
intelligence,  virtue,  and  morality. 

It  is  said  that  we  are  an  enterprising  people.  We  rejoice  that 
it  is  so.  But  we  should  beware,  while  Avielding  the  destinies  of 
a  great  nation,  not  to  unite  in  those  plans  and  encourage  those 
practices,  which  have  uniformly  led  other  nations  to  ruin.  We 
have  unintentionally  fallen  into  the  evil  which  has  been  alluded 
to,  and  which  calls  for  a  remedy.  It  is  this.  In  busmess  ar- 
rangements on  our  great  thoroughfares,  little  regard  is  had  to  the 
Sabbath,  as  a  day  of  rest.  All  distinction  between  the  six  days 
of  labor  and  the  seventh  day  of  rest  seems  to  be  vanishing  away. 
Yet,  without  a  Sabbath,  duly  observed,  a  people  cannot  long  be 
intelligent  and  moral,  and  consequently  cannot  be  fit  subjects  of 
self-government. 

If  danger  is  to  be  apprehended  from  this  source,  it  is  important 
that  we  should  all  know  it,  and  unite  in  devising  means  to  re- 
move the  evil  from  our  land.     In  this  enterprise,  the  rich  and 
poor,  the  statesman  and  patriot,  the  philanthropist  and  Christian, 
28 


326  THE  SABBATH. 

are  interested.  And  where  the  motives  of  our  religion  cannot 
influence,  it  would  seem  as  if  those  of  humanity  could  not  fail  to 
do  so.  For,  who  among  us  would  wish  to  see  this  nation  cut 
up  into  little  despotic  governments  ?  Who  among  us  so  base, 
that  he  would  rejoice  to  see  her  pillars  totter  and  fall ;  her  reli- 
gion exchanged  for  that  of  the  Hindoo  or  Mohammedan  ;  her  in- 
telligence and  morality  for  the  ignorance  and  immorality  of 
paganism  ? 

We  know  it  is  contended  by  some,  that  the  fourth  command 
of  the  decalogue  is  not  binding  on  us  Gentiles — that  the  rest  of 
the  Sabbath  is  not  necessary  for  the  good  of  man,  or  the  well-be- 
ing of  beasts  of  burden.  But  though  we  are  Gentiles,  and 
though  this  command,  as  well  as  the  entire  Bible,  was  originally 
given  to  the  Jews,  yet  we  claim  that  book  as  our  book.  Its 
blessed  promises  we  embrace,  its  awful  denunciations  we  dread. 
Who,  that  believes  this  volume  to  contain  the  oracles  of  God, 
can  for  a  moment  doubt,  that  since  Paul  was  sent  to  preach  the 
Gospel  to  the  Gentiles,  all  the  moral  precepts  it  contains,  are  as 
binding  on  us,  as  they  are  or  were  on  the  Jews ;  or,  that,  if  the 
Jews  needed  a  Sabbath,  a  day  of  sacred  rest,  we  need  it  as  much  ? 
Whoever,  therefore,  would  be  encouraged  by  the  promises,  in- 
structed by  the  wisdom,  or  admonished  by  the  threatenings  of 
the  Bible,  must  accept  it  as  the  will  of  God  to  fallen  man,  all 
men,  and  obey  its  injunctions.  This  book  calls  upon  men,  to 
"  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy" — assuring  them 
that  in  so  doing,  they  shall  be  blessed,  but  that  refusing,  God 
will  come  out  in  judgment  against  them. 

We  stand  on  common  ground,  and  have  a  common  interest. 
Let  us,  therefore,  candidly  and  impartially  examine  this  subject, 
and  see  whether  there  is  any  danger  to  be  apprehended  from  the 
present  system  of  doing  business  on  the  Lord's  day.  And  in  the 
prosecution  of  our  inquiries,  all  our  information  must  be  derived 
from  two  sources,  viz.  the  word  of  God,  and  well  authenticated 
facts. 

L — What  does  the  Word  of  God  say  ? 

As  to  this  inquiry,  if  we  find  that  labor  is  forbidden  on  the 
Sabbath,  that  evils  are  threatened  against  the  transgressor  of  the 


ADDRESS   TO   BUSINESS   JIEN.  *^ 

fourth  commandment,  and  have  been  inflicted  in  con 
its  violation,  then  we  must  naturallj'  infer,  that  it  ii. 
criminal,  but  dangerous,  to  engage  in  any  secular  bu^. 
that  day.     From  the  following  passages  it  will  be  se 
God  has  required  men  to  keep  the  Sabbath ; — and  that  judg- 
ments for  disobedience  have  not  only  been  threatened,  but  actu- 
ally inflicted. 

LABOR  FORBIDDEN  ON  THE  SABBATH. 

The  fourth  commandment,  Ex.  xx.  8-10,  is  explicit ;  "  Remem- 
ber the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days  shalt  thou  labor, 
and  do  all  thy  work  :  but  the  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the 
Lord  thy  God  :  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy 
son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy  maid-servant, 
nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates." 

Ex.  xxxi.  14.  Ye  shall  keep  the  Sabbath,  therefore,  for  it  is 
holy  unto  you :  every  one  that  defileth  it  shall  surely  be  put  to 
death  :  for  whosoever  doeth  any  work  therein,  that  soul  shall  be 
cut  off*  from  among  his  people."  Then  in  verse  15,  of  the  same 
chapter,  "  Six  days  may  work  be  done ;  but  in  the  seventh  is 
the  Sabbath  of  rest,  holy  to  the  Lord ;  whosoever  doeth  any 
work  on  the  Sabbath  day,  he  shall  surely  be  put  to  death."  In 
Lev.  xxiii.  3,  we  read,  "  Six  days  shall  work  be  done ;  but  the 
seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  rest,  an  holy  convocation ;  ye  shall 
do  no  work  therein."  In  Lev.  xix.  30,  we  find,  "Ye  shall 
keep  my  Sabbaths,  and  reverence  my  sanctuary:  I  am  the 
Lord."  The  same  occurs  Lev.  xxvi.  2.  Deut.  v.  12-21,  is  a  re- 
capitulation of  the  fourth  commandment,  nearly  verbatim,  with 
additional  reasons  why  the  children  of  Israel  should  keep  the 
Sabbath.  Ex.  xxiii.  12,  "  Six  days  thou  shalt  do  thy  work,  and 
on  the  seventh  day  thou  shalt  rest ;  that  thine  ox  and  thine  ass 
may  rest ;  and  the  son  of  thy  handmaid  and  the  stranger  may  be 
refreshed."  Ex.  xxxiv.  21:  "  Six  days  thou  shalt  work ;  but  on 
the  seventh  day  thou  shalt  rest ;  in  earing  tune  and  in  harvest 
thou  shalt  rest." 

EVILS   THREATENED   AND   INFLICTED. 

In  Ex.  xxxv.  2,  like  xxxi.  15,  before  quoted,  is  found  a  com- 


y-32S  THE   SABBATH. 

mand  to  keep  the  Sabbath,  on  pain  of  death.  And  in  Nunrib.  xv. 
32-36,  we  have  a  case  of  violation  of  the  law,  and  of  the  inflic- 
tion of  the  penalty.  In  verse  32,  we  have  the  crime :  While 
the  children  of  Israel  were  in  the  wilderness,  they  found  a  man 
that  gathered  sticks  upon  the  Sabbath  day.  In  verse  36,  the 
punishment  is  recorded,  as  follows :  "  All  the  congregation 
brought  him  without  the  camp,  and  stoned  him  with  stones, 
and  he  died ;  as  the  Lord  commanded  Moses."  In  Ezek.  xx. 
13,  God,  by  his  prophet,  says  of  Israel,  "  and  my  Sabbaths  they 
greatly  polluted :  then  I  said,  I  would  pour  out  my  fury  upon 
them,  in  the  wilderness,  to  consume  them," — and  they  were 
consumed  accordingly.  God,  by  Moses,  Lev.  xxvi.  33 — 35,  after 
having  pronounced  other  curses  on  them,  if  they  should  refuse 
to  do  his  commandments,  adds,  "  And  I  will  scatter  you  among 
the  heathen,  and  will  draw  out  a  sword  after  you,  and  your 
land  shall  be  desolate,  and  your  cities  waste.  Then  shall  the 
land  enjoy  her  Sabbaths.  As  long  as  it  lieth  desolate,  and  ye  be 
in  your  enemies'  land,  even  then  shall  the  land  rest,  and  enjoy 
her  Sabbaths.  As  long  as  it  lieth  desolate,  it  shall  rest ;  because 
it  did  not  rest  in  your  Sabbaths,  when  ye  dwelt  upon  it."  Read 
the  whole  of  this  chapter.  Hundreds  of  years  after  this  threat- 
ening, when  the  iniquity  of  the  people  was  almost  full,  God  said 
to  them,  by  Jeremiah,  chap.  xvii.  27,  "  But  if  ye  will  not  heark- 
en unto  me,  to  hallow  the  Sabbath  day,  and  not  to  bear  a  bur- 
den, even  entering  in  at  the  gates  of  Jerusalem  on  the  Sabbath 
day,  then  will  I  kindle  a  fire  in  the  gates  thereof,  and  it  shall 
devour  the  palaces  of  Jerusalem,  and  it  shall  not  be  quenched." 
We  find  these  prophecies,  awful  as  they  were,  literally  fulfilled 
upon  this  ungrateful  and  wicked  people,  as  recorded,  2  Kings 
XXV.,  and  in  2  Chron.  xxxvi.,  and  in  Jer.  lii.  "  The  king  of  the 
Chaldees,"  we  are  told,  "  had  no  compassion  upon  young  man 
or  maiden,  old  man,  or  him  that  stooped  for  age ;  he  [God]  gave 
them  all  into  his  hand."  "  And  they  burnt  the  house  of  God, 
and  brake  down  the  wall  of  Jerusalem,  and  burnt  all  the  palaces 
thereof  with  fire,  and  destroyed  all  the  goodly  vessels  thereof. 
And  them  that  had  escaped  from  the  sword  carried  he  away  to 
Babylon,  where  they  were  servants  to  him  and  his  sons."  "  To 
fulfil  the  word  of  the  Lord  by  the  mouth  of  Jeremiah,  imtil  the 


ADDRESS  TO  BUSINESS  MEN.  329' 

land  had  enjoyed  her  Sabbath :  for  as  long  as  she  lay  desolate 
she  kept  Sabbath,  to  fulfill  threescore  and  ten  years." 

To  Ezekiel,  during  the  captivity,  God  said  of  Jerusalem, 
"  Thou  hast  despised  mine  holy  things,  and  hast  profaned  my 
Sabbaths."  "  Her  priests  have  violated  my  law,  and  have  pro- 
faned mine  holy  things :  they  have  put  no  dijQference  between 
the  holy  and  profane,  neither  have  they  showed  difference  be- 
tween the  unclean  and  the  clean,  and  have  hid  their  eyes  from 
my  Sabbaths,  and  I  am  profaned  among  them."  After  enume- 
rating other  transgressions,  he  adds,  "  Therefore  have  I  poured 
out  mine  uidignation  upon  them ;  I  have  consumed  them  with 
the  fire  of  my  wrath  :  their  own  way  have  I  recompensed  upon 
their  heads,  saith  the  Lord  God."    See  Ezek.  xxii.  8,  26,  31. 

Oh,  what  a  penalty  for  profaning  the  Sabbath  !  We  need  not 
prosecute  this  part  of  the  investigation  further,  to  prove  that 
labor  is  forbidden  on  the  Sabbath,  that  evils  are  threatened 
against  the  transgressor,  or  that  they  have  actually  been  in- 
flicted. 

Many  facts  are  recorded  in  the  Bible,  to  show  us  how  God 
looks  upon  the  man  who  disregards  his  law ;  and  what  we  may 
expect,  if  we  continue  to  rebel  against  him.  The  simple  act  of 
gathering  a  few  sticks  on  the  Sabbath,  was  not  of  so  much  con- 
sequence as  the  disposition  manifested,  in  the  disregard  of  a 
command  of  God.  The  man  guilty  of  that  act,  showed  that  he 
did  not  hold  himself  accountable  to  God,  but  would  employ  his 
time  as  best  suited  his  convenience.  We  are  surprised  that  any 
man,  who  believes  in  the  inspiration  of  the  Bible,  should  dare 
disregard  the  fourth  commandment.  For  there  is  no  want  of 
proof,  from  that  book,  or  from  facts,  that  God  has  most  signally 
punished  individuals  and  communities,  as  he  has  said  he  would, 
for  not  remembering  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy. 

SABBATH-BREAKING   PREVENTS    THE    BLESSING. 

Men  who  disregard  the  law  of  the  Sabbath,  cannot  be  as 
prosperous,  intelligent,  free,  happy,  and  moral,  as  are  those  who 
duly  observe  and  sanctify  it. 

This  position  is  fully  sustained  by  the  following  passages  and 
facts,  from  the  sacred  pages.  At  the  time  God  communicated 
28* 


330  THE   SABBATH. 

to  Jeremiah  his  determination  to  kindle  a  fire  in  the  gates  of  Je- 
rusalem which  should  devour  the  palaces  thereof,  he  endeavored 
to  excite  the  people  to  obedience  by  this  gracious  promise :  "  It 
shall  come  to  pass,  if  ye  diligently  hearken  unto  me,  saith  the 
Lord,  to  bring  in  no  burden  through  the  gates  of  this  city  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  but  hallow  the  Sabbath  day,  to  do  no  work  there- 
in ;  then  shall  there  enter  into  the  gates  of  this  city  kings  and 
princes,  sitting  upon  the  throne  of  David,  riding  in  chariots  and 
on  horses,  they,  and  their  princes,  the  men  of  Judah,  and  the  in- 
habitants of  Jerusalem;  and  this  city  shall  remain  forever." 
Jer.  xvii.  24,  25,  27.  Another  passage,  exactly  in  point,  is  from 
Isaiah  Ivi.  2,  4-7  :  "  Blessed  is  the  man  that  doeth  this,  and  the 
son  of  man  that  layeth  hold  on  it;  that  keepeth  the  Sabbath, 
from  polluting  it,  and  keepeth  his  hand  from  doing  any  evil." 
"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  the  eunuchs  that  keep  my  Sabbaths, 
and  choose  the  things  that  please  me,  and  take  hold  of  my  cov- 
enant ;  even  unto  them  will  I  give,  in  mine  house,  and  within 
my  walls,  a  place  and  a  name  better  than  of  sons  and  of  daugh- 
ters :  I  will  give  them  an  everlasting  name,  that  shall  not  be  cut 
off.  Also  the  sons  of  the  stranger  that  join  themselves  to  the 
Lord,  to  serve  him,  and  to  love  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  be  his 
servants,  every  one  that  keepeth  the  Sabbath  from  polluting  it, 
and  taketh  hold  of  my  covenant ;  even  them  will  I  bring  to  my 
holy  mountain,  and  make  them  joyful  in  my  house  of  prayer ; 
their  burnt  offerings  and  their  sacrifices  shall  be  accepted  upon 
mine  altar :  for  mine  house  shall  be  called  an  house  of  prayer 
for  all  people."  In  the  same  book,  chap.  Iviii.  13,  14,  we  have, 
*'  If  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from  the  Sabbath,  from  doing  thy 
pleasure  on  my  holy  day,  and  call  the  Sabbath  a  Delight,  the 
Holy  of  the  Lord,  Honorable,  and  shall  honor  him,  not  doing 
thine  own  ways,  nor  finding  thine  own  pleasure,  nor  speaking 
thine  own  words :  Then  shalt  thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord ; 
and  I  will  cause  thee  to  ride  upon  the  high  places  of  the  earth, 
and  feed  thee  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  thy  father :  for  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it." 

MANNA. 

Let  us  examine  another  passage  in  relation  to  this  part  of  our 


ADDRESS  TO   BUSINESS  MEN.\  ^2^, 

subject:  Ex.  xvi.  22-30.     From  this,  we  learn^ 
sixth  day,  they  [the  Israelites]  gathered  twice  as  i 
[manna]  two  omers  for  one  man,"  as  they  had  gather*, 
days  preceding.     "  And  all  the  rulers  of  the  congregatio, 
and  told  Moses.     And  he  said  unto  them,  This  is  that  whic.     .e 
Lord  hath  said.  To-morrow  is  the  rest  of  the  holy  Sabbath  unto 
the  Lord :  bake  that  which  ye  will  bake  to-day^  and  seethe  that 
ye  will  seethe ;  and  that  which  remaineth  over  lay  up  for  you, 
to  be  kept  until  the  morning.     And  they  laid  it  up  till  the  morn- 
ing, as  Moses  bade :  and  it  did  not  stink,  neither  was  there  any 
worm  therein.     And  Moses  said,  Eat  that  to-day,  for  to-day  is 
a  Sabbath  unto  the  Lord :  to-day  ye  shall  not  find  it  in  the  field.  - 
Six  days  ye  shall  gather  it ;  but  on  the  seventh  day,  which  is 
the  Sabbath,  in  it  there  shall  be  none.     And  it  came  to  pass, 
that  there  went  out  some  of  the  people  on  the  seventh  day  to 
gather,  and  they  found  none.     And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses, 
How  long  refuse  ye  to  keep  my  commandments  and  my  laws  ? 
See,  for  that  the  Lord  hath  given  you  the  Sabbath,  therefore  he 
giveth  you  on  the  sixth  day  the  bread  of  two  days :  abide  ye 
every  man  in  his  place ;  let  no  man  go  out  of  his  place  on  the 
seventh  day." 

Let  every  one  remember,  that  these  events  occurred  before 
the  giving  of  the  law  on  Mount  Sinai.  Thus  we  see  that  there 
was  a  Sabbath,  and  that  God  had  given  laws,  probably  the  same 
with  those  afterwards  written  on  tables  of  stone ;  for  the  Lord 
said,  "  How  long  refuse  ye  to  keep  my  commandments  and  my 
laws  ?"  Hence  we  infer,  that  to  go  out  to  gather  manna  was  a 
breach  of  God's  law— the  law  of  the  Sabbath,  which  had,  doubt- 
less, always  been  in  force. 

There  is  much  instruction  in  this  passage.  In  the  first  place, 
the  people  were  surprised  to  find  double  the  usual  quantity  of 
manna  on  the  sixth  day. 

Second ;  The  Sabbath  is  brought  to  view  as  a  day  of  rest,  holy 
unto  the  Lord.  And  rather  than  have  any  work  done  on  that 
day,  God  wrought  two  miracles  weekly,  viz :  He  caused  a  double 
quantity  of  food  to  fall  on  the  sixth  day ;  and  he  preserved  what 
was  intended  for  the  Sabbath  from  corrupting,  like  what  was 
kept  over  on  other  days. 


,  JIJ  THE   SABBATH. 

Let  the  man  who  fears  he  shall  come  to  want  if  he  does  not 
labor  on  Smiday,  and  the  man  who  would  hoard  up  his  riches, 
read  the  verses  just  quoted,  and  ^know,  that  since  God  has  ap- 
pointed the  Sabbath,  he  has  also  provided  and  will  provide,  for 
the  wants  of  all,  who  will  honor  him  by  keeping  it.  What  did 
the  man  get  by  going  out  to  seek  for  manna  ?  Nothing  but  the 
disapprobation  of  God. 

""Men  are  taught  by  this  lesson,  that  it  is  always  safe  to  obey  the 
commandments  of  the  Lord — that  God  will  not  only  provide  an 
abundance  for  our  wants,  but  that  he  will  also  preserve  it  from 
decay  and  putrefaction.  We  do  not  believe  that  an  individual, 
or  a  company  of  individuals,  or  a  community,  in  the  long  run,  ever, 
in  fact,  made  anything  by  laboring^  on  Sunday. — Suppose  they  la- 
bor, obtain,  and  lay  up  much  worldly  goods,  some  of  which  are  the 
result  of  Sabbath  earnmgs,  there  is  a  worm  at  the  core,  and  they 
will  sooner  or  later  become  unfit  for  use,  or  be  taken  from  them. 

In  God's  dealings  with  the  children  of  Israel,  he  doubtless  had 
more  than  one  object  in  view.  While  one  design  was  to  raise 
up  a  people,  to  whom  he  might  make  a  special  revelation  of  his 
mind  and  will,  and  through  whom  he  could  hand  down  to  future 
generations,  a  knowledge  of  his  salvation ;  be  doubtless  also  in- 
tended to  show  the  world,  by  his  dealings  with  them,  how  he 
would  govern  and  deal  with  other  nations.  As  we  have  seen,  he 
not  only  told  that  people,  that  if  they  profaned  his  Sabbaths,  he 
would  punish  them,  but  he  kept  his  word.  While  they  reverenc- 
ed his  holy  day,  they  were  prosperous  and  happy,  but  whenever 
they  profaned  or  polluted  it,  he  sent  his  judgments  upon  them, 
and  such  judgments  as  no  other  nation  ever  experienced.  And 
he  told  them,  he  thus  visited  them,  because  they  had  polluted 
his  Sabbaths.  And  in  the  same  general  manner  he  has  dealt 
with  all  nations  since  that  day.  Those  that  cast  away  the  Sab- 
bath, God  gives  up  to  destruction ;  and  if  ive  continue  to  dese- 
crate that  day,  we  shall  be  destroyed,  and  that  without  remedy. 
It  cannot  he  otherwise.  Ever  since  we  have  become  a  Sabbath- 
breaking  nation,  it  is  evident  that  God  has  had  a  controversy 
with  us,  just  as  with  his  ancient  people.  Like  them,  we  have 
been  warned  and  beaten  with  few  stripes ;  then  warned  again, 
and  beaten  with  more  stripes ;  and  we  may  expect  some  over- 


ADDRESS  TO  BUSINESS  MEN.  333 

whelming'  calamity  soon  to  fall  on  us,  unless  averted  by  speedy 
repentance,  and  return  to  duty. 

IL— Facts. 

We  come  now  to  the  second  inquiry.,  viz: — What  do  facts  teach 

us  to  expect.)  in  relation  to  this  matter  ? 

And  here  let  it  first  be  observed,  that  this  is  not  a  state  of  re- 
tribution for  individuals;  though  for  some  sins  of  individuals, 
God  more  signally  punishes  in  this  world  than  for  others.  This 
is  believed  to  be  true  of  Sabbath-breaking.  There  are'at  least 
certain  evils  which  seem  necessarily,  and  unavoidably  to  follow 
the  Sabbath-breaker. 

But  communities  must  always  be  punished  in  this  world.  This 
is  their  only  state  of  retribution.  When  individuals,  or  commu- 
nities disregard  the  Sabbath,  they  are  ready,  so  far  as  their  con- 
science is  concerned,  to  'disregard  the  other  laws  of  God ;  and 
this  leads  them  to  neglect  all  the  means  which  God  has  given, 
to  prevent  men  from  committing  crimes  against  their  neigh- 
bors, their  country,  and  their  God.  A  voice,  therefore,  should 
now  be  raised  on  this  subject,  waxing  louder  and  louder,  until  it 
shall  have  aroused  the  slumbering  energies,  not  only  of  the  Chris- 
tian, but  of  every  patriot  and  philanthropist. 

Let  us  see  what  influence,  labor  on  the  Sabbath  has  on  physi- 
cal powers,  on  moral  and  intellectual  powers,  and  on  men's 
worldly  prosperity,  generally.  Some  have  supposed  that  what 
is  earned  on  the  Lord's  day,  is  clear  gain ;  but  God  says,  and  the 
best  of  men  say,  and  facts  prove,  that  this  is  not  so. 

^  PHYSICAL  POWERS. 

Sir  Matthew  Hale's  experience  has  often  been  adduced,  in 
proof  of  the  above  assertion.  For  nearly  fifty  years,  he  had 
been  a  critical  observer  of  men,  and  much  conversant  with  busi- 
ness. He  says,  "  Whenever  I  have  undertaken  any  secular  busi- 
ness on  the  Lord's  day  (which  was  not  absolutely  and  indispen- 
sably necessary,)  that  business  never  prospered  and  succeeded  well 
with  me.  Always,  the  more  closely  I  applied  myself  to  the  du- 
ties of  the  Lord's  day,  the  more  happy  and  successful  were  my 
business  and  employments,  the  rest  of  the  week  following." 


334  THE   SABBATH. 

A  BUSINESS  MAN  many  years  ago  was  traveling  by  the  side  of  one 
of  the  western  lakes  in  a  stage  which  made  its  trips  but  once  a  week. 
The  settlement  was  sparse,  the  road  bad,  and  there  was  little  trav- 
el. The  Sabbath  came.  The  question  with  him  was  not,  what 
shall  I  do  1  but  others  said,  when  he  announced  that  he  should 
proceed  no  farther,  how  then  can  you  get  along  ?  Yet  there  was 
but  one  course  for  him.  Long  before,  he  had  made  up  his  mind 
to  rest  on  Sunday,  leaving  consequences  with  God.  The  stage 
went  on,  while  he  remained  until  Monday  morning,  when  a 
gentleman  drove  up  and  offered  to  carry  him  on  his  journey ;  he 
was  well  accommodated  with  a  seat,  and  it  proved  a  saving  of 
money.  Thousands  can  testify  to  similar  facts.  As  God  provid- 
ed manna  for  two  days  on  the  sixth,  so  he  will  take  care  of 
those  who  keep  his  commandments.  As  nothing  was  gained  by 
retaining  the  manna  from  one  day  to  another,  except,  from  the 
sixth  to  the  seventh,  so  nothing  will  be  gained  by  laying  up  the 
wages  of  unlawful  labor.  They  will  prove  a  curse  instead  of  a 
blessing.  It  is  always  safe  to  obey  God.  When  we  toil  on  the 
Lord's  day,  we  toil  for  nothing  that  can  do  us  any  good. 

A  GENTLEMAN  acquainted  twenty-five  years  in  New  York,  says, 
that  those  merchants  of  his  acquaintance  who  have  kept  their 
counting  rooms  open  on  Sunday  have  failed  without  an  excep- 
tion. 

Dr.  Spurzheim  says,  "  The  cessation  of  labor  one  day  in  seven, 
contributes  to  the  preservation  of  health,  and  to  the  restoration 
of  the  bodily  powers. 

Journeymen  printers,  stage-drivers,  boatmen,  and  all  classes 
of  men,  who  habitually  labor  seven  days  in  a  week,  suffer  much 
in  their  health  and  their  morals. 

Mr.  Schoolcraft,  while  examining  the  Upper  Mississippi  in 
1830  and  1832,  with  twenty  men,  says,  that  they  performed 
their  tours  in  less  time  than  companies  usually  do,  which  travel 
on  Sunday,  though  they  uniformly  suspended  labor  on  that  holy 
day.  He  was  convinced  that  they  gained  much  by  resting  one 
day  in  seven. 

"  In  the  West  Indies,  slaves  were  required  to  labor  six  days 
in  the  week  for  their  masters,  and  the  seventh  day  for  their  own 
support.     The  consequence  was,  short  life  and  feeble  health." 


ADDRESS   TO  BUSINESS  MEN.  335 

Nine  days'  labor  in  France,  when  the  seven  clays'  week  was 
exchanged  for  a  ten  days'  week,  "  increased  the  exhaustion  of 
man,  and  diminished  the  aggregate  amount  of  labor." 

Seven  thousand  journeymen  bakers,  of  London  and  vicinity, 
have  petitioned  the  House  of  Commons  to  be  released  from 
their  burden  of  laboring  nine  hours  every  Sunday,  after  from 
fourteen  to  sixteen  hours  of  labor  on  week  days.  From  their 
constant  employment  they  suffer  greatly  in  health. 

It  appeared  in  evidence  before  the  Sabbath  Committee  of  Par- 
liament in  regard  to  each  branch  of  business  in  London,  that  in 
proportion  to  their  disregard  of  the  Sabbath,  was  the  wretched- 
ness and  immorality  of  those  engaged  in  it.  Is  not  the  same 
true  of  this  and  every  other  country  ? 

Mr.  Vyse  of  Birmingham,  England,  stated  before  the  Sabbath 
Committee  of  the  British  Parliament,  that  he  had  taken  one 
hundred  and  twenty  horses,  and  nine  or  ten  coaches  off  the 
road  on  Sunday,  and  that  while  his  horses  were  allowed  to  rest 
one  day  in  seven,  he  had  no  occasion  to  replenish  their  number 
in  three  months ;  but  when  they  labored  seven  days  in  a  week, 
he  was  obliged  to  buy  every  week.  The  same  man  says,  he 
found  that  those  persons  who  neglected  that  holy  day,  fell  into 
bad  habits,  were  led  on  from  vice  to  vice,  and  generally  ended 
in  coming  to  misery  and  want. 

The  Lord  Bishop  of  Chester  stated,  before  the  same  commit- 
tee, that  he  once  knew  a  man  who  kept  his  shop  open  on  Sun- 
day. When  his  minister  remonstrated  with  him,  he  would 
reply,  (though  convinced  of  his  error,)  '  Why,  I  cannot  afford  it ; 
fori  sell  more  on  the  Sunday  than  all  the  other  days  of  the 
week  put  together.'  His  mind,  however,  changed,  and  he 
closed  his  shop  on  that  day,  and  so  kept  it  closed  for  six  months. 
When  the  clergyman  called  on  him  again,  and  wished  to  know 
the  result.  He  said — '  Sir,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  have  taken 
more  money  in  the  six  months  since  I  shut  up  my  shop  on  the 
Sunday,  than  I  did  in  any  one  yea?-  before,  since  I  was  in 
business.' 

The  Rev.  J.  W.  Cunningham,  in  evidence  before  the  Commit- 
tee, says,  he  knows  the  result  of  an  examination  as  to  the 
quantity  of  work  done,  and  the  money  expended  in  a  public  in- 


336  THE   SABBATH. 

stitution,  employing  more  than  two  thousand  laborers.  For  a 
certain  number  of  years  these  laborers  were  employed  on  the 
Sabbath.  After  the  death  of  the  individual  who  presided  over 
the  institution  during  this  arrangement,  his  successor  determined 
to  dispense  with  Sunday  labor — which  was  done  :  and  by  a  most 
careful  examination  of  the  amount  of  labor  performed  during  the 
two  periods,  it  was  ascertained  that  more  work  was  done  in  the 
same  portion  of  time,  when  they  worked  but  six  days,  than 
there  was  when  they  worked  seven  days  in  a  week.  This  was 
imputed  to  two  causes ;  in  the  first  place,  to  the  demoralization 
of  the  people  under  the  first  system ;  and  in  the  second  place,  to 
the  exhaustion  of  their  bodily  strength,  which  was  visible  to  the 
most  casual  observer.  The  same  individual  says,  in  relation  to 
those  who  desecrate  the  Sabbath — the  worst  moral,  civil,  and 
political  consequences,  appear  to  me  to  follow,  from  the  breach 
of  the  Sabath. 

Mr.  Thomas  George,  before  the  same  Committee,  said,  the 
following  different  trades  in  London,  had  been  canvassed  by 
himself  and  others,  connected  with  the  Sabbath  Protection  So- 
ciety, viz : — butchers,  bakers,  drovers,  poulterers,  poultry  cooks, 
confectioners,  undertakers,  publicans,  ship,  wagon,  and  coach 
proprietors,  hairdressers,  cheesemongers,  grocers,  chandlers, 
coffin-makers,  watermen,  bargemen,  tobacconists,  newsmen, 
printers,  fishmongers,  fruiterers,  green-grocers ;  and  that  a  vast 
majority  of  them  would  be  delighted  with  a  measure,  provided 
it  were  general,  to  secure  them  against  pecuniary  loss,  by  a 
general  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  One  would  not  stop  unless 
all  did ;  and  all  felt  that  it  was  degrading  for  them  to  work  on 
Sunday,  and  that  they  had  a  right  to  a  day  of  rest,  as  well  as 
other  men. 

Mr.  William  McKechney  said,  he  had  visited  at  least  ten 
thousand  shop-keepers  of  various  descriptions  in  and  about  Lon- 
don, relative  to  a  general  cessation  of  all  business  on  Sunday,  and 
that  two  thirds  of  them  were  in  favor  of  it. 

A  man  who  is  not  allowed  to  rest  on  Sunday,  is  deprived  of  a 
privilege  enjoyed  by  others.  He  is  injured,  and  feels  injured  by 
the  practice.  Doubtless,  if  every  man  in  this  nation  were  to 
have  the  question  put  to  him,  would  you  prefer  to  have  no  labor 


ADDRESS    TO    BUSINESS    MEN.  337 

done  on  Sunday,  nine-tenths  of  them  would  answer  in  the  affirm- 
ative. The  great  difficulty  now  seems  to  be,  to  fix  on  a  day 
when  all  shall  stop,  and  to  induce  all  to  agree  to  it,  at  once.  Go 
to  one  class  to  day,  and  they  will  say,  we  will  give  up  our  labor 
on  the  Lord's  day,  if  others  of  our  occupation  will ;  and  so  it  is 
with  all. 

INTELLECTUAL    POWERS. 

In  the  testimony  of  Dr.  Richard  Farre  before  the  same 
Committee,  there  are  some  most  important  views,  relating  to 
this  subject.  Dr.  Farre,  in  the  early  part  of  his  life,  had  been 
the  physician  of  a  public  medical  institution.  He  had  been 
engaged  in  Great  Britain,  in  the  study  and  practice  of  medicine 
forty  years. 

This  question  was  proposed  to  him,  viz  :  Have  you  had  oc- 
casion to  observe  the  effect  of  the  observance  and  non-observance 
of  the  seventh  day  of  rest  during  that  time  ?  Ans.  I  have.  I 
have  been  in  the  habit,  during  a  great  many  years,  of  consider- 
ing the  uses  of  the  Sabbath,  and  observing  the  abuses  of  it. 
The  abuses  are  chiefly  manifested  in  labor  and  dissipation.  The 
use,  medically  speaking,  is  that  of  a  day  of  rest.  As  a  day  of 
rest,  I  view  it  as  a  compensation  for  the  inadequate  restorative 
power  of  the  body,  under  continued  labor  and  excitement.  A 
physician  always  has^  respect  to  the  preservation  of  the  restora- 
tive power,  because,  if  once  this  be  lost,  his  healing  office  is  at 
an  end.  He  endeavors,  physiologically,  to  show,  that  the  Sab- 
bath, is  a  necessary  appointment.  He  says,  a  physician  is  anx- 
ious to  preserve  the  balance  of  circulation,  as  necessary  to  the 
restorative  power  of  the  body.  The  ordinary  exertions  of  man 
run  down  the  circulation  every  day  of  his  life,  and  the  first  gen- 
eral law  of  nature,  by  which  God  prevents  man  from  destroying 
himself,  is  the  alternating  of  day  with  night,  that  repose  may 
succeed  action.  But  although  the  night  apparently  equalizes 
the  circulation  well,  yet  it  does  not  sufficiently  restore  its 
balance  for  the  attainment  of  long  life.  Hence  one  day  in  seven, 
by  the  bounty  of  Providence,  is  thrown  in  as  a  day  of  compensa- 
tion, to  perfect  by  its  repose  the  animal  system.  You  may  easily 
determine  this  question  as  a  matter  of  fact  by  trying  it  on  beasts 
29 


338  THE   SABBATH. 

of  burden.  Take  that  fine  animal,  the  horse,  and  work  him  to 
the  full  extent  of  his  powers,  every  day  in  the  week,  or  give  him 
rest  one  day  in  seven,  and  you  will  soon  perceive,  by  the  vigor 
with  which  he  performs  his  functions,  on  the  other  six  days,  that 
this  rest  is  necessary  for  his  well-being. 

In  man  it  is  not  so  immediately  apparent,  but  in  the  long  run 
he  breaks  down  more  suddenly. 

He  considers,  that  the  Sabbath  is  not  merely  a  precept,  par- 
taking of  the  nature  of  a  positive  institution,  but  that  it  is  among 
the  natural  duties,  if  the  preservation  of  life  be  a  duty,  and  the 
premature  destruction  of  it  a  suicidal  act. 

He  remarks,  that  this  is  said  simply  as  a  physician,  and  with- 
out reference  at  all  to  the  theological  question ;  but  if  you  con- 
sider further  the  proper  effect  of  real  Christianity,  namely,  peace 
of  mind,  confiding  trust  in  God,  and  good  will  to  man,  3'ou  will 
perceive  in  this  source  of  renewed  vigor  to  the  mind,  and  through 
the  mind  to  the  body,  an  additional  spring  of  life,  imparted  from 
this  higher  use  of  the  Sabbath,  as  a  holy  rest. 

He  goes  on  the  ground  that  "the  mind,  as  wellas  the  body, 
needs  relaxation  and  repose,  or  a  change  of  occupation,  as  often 
as  one  day  in  seven ;  that  the  mind  when  vigorously  employed 
in  business  six  days,  will  be  injured  by  continuing  in  that  em- 
ployment beyond  that  period,  before  it  is  suffered  to  relax  its 
powers ;  and  that  leaving  business  and  engaging  in  dissipating 
amusement,  does  not  afford  all  that  aid  and  that  kind  of  aid, 
which  its  constitution  demands.  He  states  that  he  had  known 
many  senators,  and  others  in  the  higher  walks  of  life,  who  hur- 
ried themselves  to  the  grave  by  excessive  mental  effort. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  our  limits  will  allow  us  to  make  but 
one  more  quotation  from  this  testimony.  "  In  all  that  I  have 
said,"  he  remarks,  "  I  have  reference  in  my  views  of  the  Sab- 
bath, to  it,  as  a  sustaining,  repairing,  and  healing  power." 
^  Dr.  Farre  is  not  alone  in  the  belief,  that  both  mind  and  body 
need  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath.  Dr.  Rush  says,  "  If  there  were  no 
hereafter,  individuals  and  societies  would  be  great  gainers  by 
attending  public  worship.  Rest  from  labor  in  the  house  of  God 
winds  up  the  machine  of  the  soul  and  body,  better  than  any 


ADDRESS   TO   BUSINESS   MEN.  339 

thing  else,  and  thereby  invigorates  it  for  the  labors  and  duties  of 
the  ensuing  week." 

The  mind  of  man  needs  rest,  or  relief— a  change  of  objects,  and 
the  Sabbath  brings  such  relief  While  constant  labor  destroys 
the  physical  powers  of  man  and  beast,  intense  application  of  the 
mental  powers  cannot  long  be  endured,  without  sensible  mjurJ^ 
What  scholar  does  not  know  the  folly  of  undertaking  to  solve  a 
difficult  problem  in  mathematics,  when  the  mind  has  long  been 
taxed  to  the  extent  of  its  powers  ?  And  where  is  the  business 
man,  whose  mind  has  been  intensely  on  his  employment,  day 
and  night,  for  six  days,  who  does  not  need  a  season  of  rest  ? 
There  can  be  no  doubt,  that  many  individuals,  possessing  strong 
minds,  have  become  insane,  in  consequence  of  constant  and  un- 
remitted attention  to  worldly  business.  Doubtless,  if  the  true 
cause  could  be  known,  why  so  many  merchants  of  large  capital 
and  extensive  business  have  failed,  it  would  be  found,  that  in 
many  instances,  it  was  the  result  of  so  intense  and  unhiterrupted 
attention  to  business,  that  their  minds  became  deranged,  or  unfit 
prudently  and  skillfully  to  manage  their  affairs.  It  would  not 
be  difficult  to  prove,  with  the  force  of  demonstration,  by  incon- 
trovertible facts  and  arguments,  that  the  man  who  disregards 
and  profanes  the  Sabbath,  injures  his  owti  person  and  property, 
and  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

The  Marquis  of  Londonderry,  not  many  years  since,  de- 
stroyed his  life  in  a  state  of  mental  derangement.  He  was 
prime  minister,  and  entrusted  by  the  king  with  the  principal 
concerns  of  the  government.  He  observed  no  Sabbath.  His 
mind,  on  Sundays  as  on  other  days,  was  alike  burdened,  but  its 
burden  was  too  heavy  long  to  be  borne.  It  hurried  him  to  mad- 
ness and  the  grave. 

WiLBERFORCE  Said,  he  could  never  have  accomplished  so 
much  public  business  as  he  did,  but  for  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath. 
Many  who  began  with  him  in  life,  had  found  a  premature  grave, 
or  become  maniacs,  and  put  an  end  to  their  existence,  by  vio- 
lating the  law  of  nature,  and  of  nature's  God,  in  regard  to  the 
rest  of  the  Sabbath. 

In  the  last  great  day,  it  will  doubtless  be  seen,  that  some  of 
the  most  splendid  fortunes  and  gigantic  intellects  have  been 


340  THE   SABBATH. 

ruined  by  a  disregard  of  the  day  of  rest.  The  Sabbath-breaker, 
like  the  drunkard,  is  destroying  himself,  body  and  soul,  for  time 
and  eternity. 

We  have  looked  at  the  necessities  of  man  as  a  physical  and 
intellectual  being.  We  fiiid  him  like  a  clock  constructed  to  run 
a  certain  time,  and  then  needing  to  be  wound  up  again,  in  order 
to  answer  the  end  for  which  it  was  made.  Man's  whole  na- 
ture is  constructed  so  that  he  can  engage  in  vigorous  employ- 
ment six  days,  and  but  six  at  a  time.  If  by  any  means  he  is 
mduced  to  prolong  such  exertion,  he  does  it  at  his  peril.  If 
often  repeated,  both  body  and  mind  will  naturally  and  unavoid- 
ably suffer,  and  even  run  down. 

MORAL  POWERS. 

Sabbath-breaking  not  only  wastes  property  and  the  physical 
powers  of  animal  nature,  and  deranges  the  mental  faculties  of 
men,  but  it  leads  to  crime  and  disgrace.  Blackstone  says,  "  a 
corruption  of  morals  usually  follows  a  profanation  of  the  Sab- 
bath." 

In  the  State  Prison  of  Connecticut,  it  is  said  ninety  out  of  a 
hundred  of  its  inmates,  at  the  time  of  the  investigation,  had 
been  habitual  Sabbath-breakers.  In  that  of  Massachusetts,  one 
hundred  and  eighty-two  out  of  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  were 
also  of  that  character. 

We  quote  again  from  the  testimony  brought  before  the  Sab- 
bath Committee  of  the  British  House  of  Commons.  Rev.  Da- 
vid RuELL,  before  the  committee,  stated,  that  he  was  chaplain 
of  New  Prison,  Clerk enwell,  and  formerly  chaplain  of  the  house 
of  correction,  Coldbath  Fields — he  had  been  thus  employed 
twenty-eight  years — had  had  annually  pass  under  his  care,  not 
less  than  seven  thousand  prisoners;  and  during  his  chaplaincy, 
at  least  one  hundred  thousand.  He  says  he  made  it  a  point  of 
seeing  in  private  those  who  were  charged  with  capital  offences, 
and  does  not  recollect  a  single  case,  among  them  all,  where  the 
party  had  not  been  a  Sabbath-breaker,  and  in  many  cases  they 
had  assured  him,  that  Sabbath-breaking  was  the  first  step  in 
their  course  of  crime. 

He  says,  "  I  may  say  in  reference  to  prisoners  of  all  classes, 


ADDRESS  TO  BUSINESS  MEN.  341 

that  nineteen  out  of  twenty  of  them  have  neglected  the  Sabbath." 
He  refers  to  the  case  of  the  Cato  street  conspirators,  who  were 
also  of  that  class. 

Mr.  John  Wontner,  then  for  ten  years  keeper  of  Newgate, 
and  six  years  a  marshal  of  the  city  of  London,  said,  he  had 
heard  many  of  the  prisoners  express  their  regret  that  their  crimes 
had  originated  with  a  breach  of  the  Sabbath.  He  thinks  nine- 
tenths  of  them  did  not  value  the  Sabbath. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Baker,  who  had  been  for  twenty  years  in  the 
habit  of  visiting  prisoners  in  Newgate,  stated  that  the  prisoners, 
almost  universally,  had  acknowledged,  that  the  deviation  from 
the  fourth  commandment  led  them  on,  step  by  step,  into  that 
degree  of  crime,  which  had  brought  them  there,  and  that  the 
great  cause  of  their  misconduct  had  been  the  neglect  of  the  Sab- 
bath. Nine  out  of  ten  have  dated  the  principal  part  of  their 
departure  from  God,  to  the  neglect  of  that  day. 

The  same  committee  state  in  their  report,  that  innumerable 
unhappy  individuals,  who  have  forfeited  their  lives  to  the  of- 
fended laws  of  their  country,  have  confessed  that  their  career  in 
vice  commenced  with  Sabbath-breaking,  and  neglect  of  religious 
ordinances. 

.^*  APPEAL  TO  INDIVIDUAL  EXPERIENCE. 

Many  other  facts  from  the  report  of  this  Committee  might  be 
given,  and  also  from  other  sources.  But  we  forbear ;  and  call 
upon  men,  individually,  to  look  back  upon  the  Sabbath-breakers 
whom  they  knew  in  their  youth  and  early  days.  Where  now 
are  the  majority  of  them  ?  Are  they  intelligent,  moral,  respect- 
able, influential  ?  It  is  not  believed  many  of  them  are,  if  they 
have  continued  till  the  age  of  forty,  or  even  thirty  years  in  the 
same  practice.  The  road  of  the  Sabbath- breaker  is  the  road  to 
ignorance,  crime,  degradation,  and  contempt.  Look  again. 
What  good  have  such  individuals  done  in  the  world  ?  Have 
they  been  philanthropists — true,  valuable  patriots  ?  Are  they 
the  friends  of  the  poor,  of  the  Church,  of  God,  and  of  the  world  ? 
Look  at  companies,  who  habitually  profane  the  Lord's  day. 
And  what  is  their  moral  influence  on  society  ? 

Look  into  those  neighborhoods,  where  no  Sabbath  is  religiously 
29* 


342  THE   SABBATH. 

observed,  and  what  is  the  character  of  the  inhabitants  ?  Are 
they  fit  to  be  at  the  helm  of  our  government  ?  Would  they 
sustain  our  free  institutions  ?  "Would  they  make  suitable  guar- 
dians of  youth — good  teachers  in  our  seminaries  of  learning  ? 
Are  they  good  neighbors  ?  Do  they  live  peaceably  ?  Are  they 
sober,  cleanly,  industrious?  How  do  their  fields  and  fences 
look  ?  Are  their  buildings  in  good  order,  or  in  a  state  of  dilapi- 
dation ?  Look  at  such  a  neighborhood,  and  compare  it  with 
one  where  the  Sabbath  is  duly  observed — and  then  you  will  be 
able  to  judge  of  the  qualifications  of  a  Sabbath-breaking  .people 
to  govern  a  republic. 

HOW  IS  IT  WITH  NATIONS  ? 

Let  us  glance  now  at  nations,  and  see  what  we  can  gather 
from  their  history,  as  to  the  importance  of  observing  a  Sabbath. 
Communities  flourish  and  decay,  and  what  is  the  cause  of  this 
prosperity  and  declension  ?  Turn  your  eye  to  nations  which 
once  observed  a  Sabbath,  but  now  do  not.  Where  are  those 
nations  ?  Without  an  exception,  they  have  gone  down  to  the 
darkness  of  paganism,  or  are  rapidly  hastening  thither.  And 
on  the  other  hand,  where  is  the  nation  or  people,  that  conscien- 
tiously and  strictly  regarded  this  institution,  however  small  they 
might  have  been  at  first,  which  has  not  risen  to  greatness,  wealth, 
honor,  and  power  ? 

Look  at  the  nations  of  the  East.  See  the  darkness  which 
broods  over  not  less  than  five-eighths  of  the  entire  population 
of  our  globe.  What  is  the  cause  of  it  ?  No  satisfactory  answer 
can  be  given,  but  that  they  are  without  the  Christian  religion, 
sustained  and  cherished  by  the  institution  of  the  Sabbath.  Nor 
can  they  ever  rise  to  prosperity  and  peace,  until  cheered  by  the 
rays  of  divine  truth,  promulged  and  sustained  through  the  in- 
fluence of  that  day. 

Spain,  centuries  ago,  was  great  and  powerful ;  and  so  long  as 
she  observed  the  Sabbath,  remained  so.  But  when  she  began 
to  profane  that  day,  she  began  to  fall — and  where  now  is  Spain  ? 
Sinking  in  ignorance,  superstition  and  pollution. 

France,  while  she  was  observing  her  tenth  day  Sabbath, 
was  one  continued  scene  of  commotion  and  bloodshed;  and  long 


ADDRESS  TO  BUSINESS  MEN.  343 

ere  this,  had  she  not  sought  the  aids  of  that  religion  which  she 
had  despised,  and  endeavored  to  abolish,  and  welcomed  its  re- 
turn and  the  weekly  Sabbath,  she  would  have  been  beyond  the 
reach  of  any  human  arm  to  save  her.  Even  now,  there  seems 
to  be,  with  her,  a  mighty  struggle  between  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness and  the  influence  of  Protestant  light  and  liberty. 

England,  when  she  most  disregarded  the  holy  Sabbath,  was 
evidently  on  the  retrograde.  It  was  "  when  the  Puritans 
preached  against  dancing,  bow-shooting,  and  other  licentious 
sports  on  Sunday,  and  were  forbidden  by  King  James,  to  hinder 
the  people  from  these  practices,  and  other  similar  harmless 
recreations  on  that  day,  that  London  was  visited  with  the  plague. 
In  this  corrupt  state  of  morals,  it  swept  away  in  that  city, 
almost  seventy  thousand,  and  in  one  week  when  it  raged  most, 
more  than  seven  thousand."  England  had  been  warned  and 
punished  before,  but  she  would  not  reform.  Scotland  and 
Wales  have  not  suffered  quite  so  much  for  this  sin,  for  they 
have  been  less  guilty. 

But  the  nation  that  is  now  free,  intelligent,  powerful,  and 
happy,  owes  its  prosperity  to  the  influence  of  the  gospel,  which 
is  sustained  and  perpetuated  by  the  instrumentality  of  the 
Sabbath. 

Our  Forefathers,  when  they  sought  an  asylum  in  the  wilds 
of  America,  were,  from  principle^  a  Sabbath-keeping  people, 
and  we  have  been  such  until  within  a  few  years ;  and  where 
was  there  ever  a  nation,  that  enjoyed  such  uninterrupted  pros- 
perity ?  In  looking  over  the  history  of  the  past,  we  cannot  find 
an"  instance  of  great  temporal  and  spiritual  prosperity,  where 
the  Sabbath  has  not  been  duly  observed ;  nor  can  we  find  an 
instance  of  general  imbecility,  ignorance,  crime,  poverty,  wretch- 
edness, anarchy,  dilapidation,  and  ruin,  where  that  day  has  been 
duly  kept.  God  has  always  honored  that  day,  by  rewarding 
those  who  sanctified  it,  with  great  blessings.  It  is  easily  proved 
from  past  history,  that  nations  and  communities  have  prospered 
in  exact  proportion  to  the  manner  in  which  they  observed  a 
Sabbath.  No  nation  or  community,  profaning  that  day,  can  long 
prosper.  It  is  impossible  in  the  nature  of  things.  Heathen 
nations  have  no  day  of  holy  rest.     Where  ignorance  and  super- 


344  THE  SABBATH. 

stition  reign,  there  the  Sabbath  is  not  honored.  But,  where  that 
day  is  observed,  as  a  day  of  rest  and  religious  worship,  there  is 
freedom,  intelligence,  comfort,  peace.  The  throne  of  the  des- 
pot, and  the  chains  of  the  oppressed,  cannot  stand  before  the 
influence  of  that  benign  institution.  But  let  us  be  a  little  more 
specific. 

Without  the  influence  of  a  Sabbath,  duly  observed,  the  reli- 
gion of  the  Bible  cannot  be  sustained.  Indeed,  blot  out  the 
Sabbath,  or  let  it  be  devoted  to  business,  amusement  and  dis- 
sipation, and  in  less  than  a  century,  the  Bible  would  be  des- 
troyed, or  cast  among  the  rubbish  of  by-gone  ages ;  our  churches 
would  be  disbanded,  our  temples  of  worship  converted  into 
temples  for  the  "goddess  of  reason,"  and  theatres  of  pollution 
and  crime ;  our  seminaries  of  learning,  alms-houses,  asyltlms, 
and  places  of  refuge  would  be  tenantless,  or  filled  with  Baccha- 
nals. In  vain  should  we  look  for  the  hand  of  kindness,  to  wipe 
the  death-drop  from  the  face  of  the  dying,  or  to  point  the  wan- 
derer to  the  haven  of  glory.  In  vain  should  we  listen  for  the 
voice  of  supplication,  in  behalf  of  a  bleedmg  church,  and  the 
deathless  soul;  the  gloom  of  an  eternal  night  would  gather 
around,  and  a  world  be  sinking  to  perdition. 

WHAT   IF    THE   SABBATH   WERE    BLOTTED    OUT  ? 

Let  US  suppose  for  a  moment,  that  the  Sabbath,  in  this  nation, 
were  blotted  out, — that,  as  some  men  have  foolishly  and  wick- 
edly wished,  every  Christian  in  our  land  should  now  go  to  the 
grave.  By  the  word  Christian,  we  mean  such  as  love  the  Sab- 
bath, the  Bible,  Sabbath  schools,  our  benevolent  societies,  and 
the  house  of  religious  worship — who  contribute  of  their  money 
and  their  influence,  to  establish  and  sustain  these  institutions. 
Let  none  be  left,  but  the  man  who  will  not  remember  the  Sab- 
bath day  to  keep  it  holy.  Who,  we  ask,  would  wish  to  live 
in  such  a  community  ?  Who  would  build  school  houses,  and 
instruct  in  the  arts  and  sciences  ?  Who  assemble  in  our 
churches  ?  Who  would  erect  and  sustain  alms-houses,  orphan 
asylums ;  and  teach  the  young  and  rising  generation  to  walk  in 
the  ways  of  virtue  and  peace  ? 

Did  ever  the  arts  and  sciences  long  exist  and  flourish,  in  a 


ADDEESS   TO   BUSINESS   MEN.  345 

community  where  the  Sabbath  had  done  nothing,  and  was  not 
doing  7nuch  for  them?  Is  domestic  happiness  enjoyed,  where 
there  are  no  Sabbaths  observed  ?  Are  the  rights  of  females 
regarded,  and  their  persons  protected,  where  the  Sabbath  is  not 
known  ?  Are  parents  lovers  of  their  children,  and  are  children 
dutiful  and  affectionate  to  their  parents  ?  Are  the  rights  of  the 
poor  regarded  ?  Are  men  moral,  chaste,  sober,  benevolent,  in- 
dustrious, and  patriotic,  where  the  Sabbath  is  contemned  ?  In 
such  places,  are  men  considered  free  and  equal  ?  Does  each 
seek  the  good  of  others  ?  For  an  answer  to  these  inquiries, 
ask  the  inhabitants  along  the  Ganges,  or  on  the  isles  of  Borneo, 
and  of  the  South  Pacific. 

The  strong  arm  of  despotism  may,  for  a  while,  keep  under  and 
control  an  ignorant,  degraded  people;  but  civil  and  religious 
liberty  can  never  be  established  and  sustained,  without  the  aid 
of  the  Sabbath ;  and  every  act  of  Sabbath  desecration  serves  to 
weaken  the  foimdations  of  a  free  government.  Sabbath-breaking? 
since  it  tends  to  immorality  and  wretchedness,  shortens  and  em- 
bitters human  life.  Where  there  is  no  Sabbath  there  is  no 
permanent  good? 

Who  would  be  willing  to  exchange  the  Sabbath  for  days  of 
pagan  festivities,  rites,  and  ceremonies  ?  Who  would  exchange 
the  Bible  of  the  Christian,  for  the  Koran  of  Mohammed,  or  the 
Shasters  of  the  Brahmin  ?  Who  exchange  the  pure,  exalted, 
ennobling,  and  dignified  worship  of  the  one  living  and  true  God, 
for  the  base,  sordid,  and  degrading  worship  of  the  almost  num- 
berless Hindoo  gods  ?  Who  would  subject  himself  to  the  hor- 
rors of  the  ten  persecutions,  or  those  of  the  feast  of  Bartholomew, 
as  witnessed  in  France,  in  1572,  when  sixty  thousand  Protestants 
were  murdered,  by  those  who  would  not  keep  a  Sabbath  ?  Think 
of  her  civil  wars,  during  which,  "  in  the  beginning  of  the  seven- 
teenth century,  more  tlian  a  million  of  men  lost  their  lives ; 
nine  cities,  four  hundred  villages,  two  thousand  churches,  two 
thousand  monasteries,  and  ten  thousand  houses,  were  burned  or 
destroyed,  besides  the  many  thousands  of  men,  women,  and 
children,  that  were  cruelly  butchered;  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty  millions  of  livres  were  spent  in  carrying  forward  these 
slaughters  and  devastations."    This  is  a  part  of  the  history  of 


346  THE   SABBATH. 

that  nation  which  dared  follow  the  counsel  of  the  execrable 
and  inhuman  Robespierre  and  his  coadjutors ;  which  feared  not 
to  burn  the  Bible,  introduce  the  decades,  and  attempt  to  extir- 
pate the  Christian  religion.  Similar  scenes  have  been  acted 
over,  whenever  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  abolish  the  Sab- 
bath. The  late  mobs  and  riots  in  our  country,  indicate  ap- 
proaching judgments,  not  altogether  dissimilar. 

But  what  are  we  doing  on  the  Sabhath,  and  ivho  are  they  that 
are  doing  it  ? 

We  are  running  stages,  carrying  and  opening  mails,  running 
boats,  freighting  goods,  carrying  passengers,  lading  and  unlad- 
ing vessels,  printing  papers,  driving  and  butchering  cattle,  hogs, 
and  sheep,  riding  in  rail  cars,  omnibuses,  hacks,  sulkies,  writing 
and  doing  business  in  our  counting-rooms,  warehouses,  custom- 
house offices,  and  a  thousand  other  things,  that  God  has  forbid- 
den, and  which  tend  to  keep  us  from  his  house,  and  drive  away 
from  our  minds  all  sense  of  obligation  to  him,  and  reverence  of 
the  holy' day. 

This  work  is  not  done  only  by  the  poor,  who  most  need  rest 
and  instruction,  but  many  rich  men  are  now  attending  to  their 
business,  as  much  on  Sunday  as  on  other  days ;  and  the  unavoid- 
able result  of  all  this  must  be,  unless  soon  checked,  to  blot  out 
our  Sabbaths.  Then  we  may  bid  farewell,  not  only  to  our  reli- 
gion, but  our  liberties,  our  virtue,  our  morality,  our  happiness 
here  and  hereafter. 

DANGER   TO  BE  APPREHENDED. 

Let  the  Sabbath  be  trampled  under  foot  by  this  people,  some 
ten  or  twenty  years  longer,  and  let  the  present  annual  increase 
of  Roman  Catholic  immigration,  which  is  said  to  be  an  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand,  be  doubled  a  few  times  in  that  period,  and 
added  to  the  seven  hundred  thousand  already  among  us ;  to  them 
add  the  millions  in  this  nation  who  shall  then  be  unable  to  read, 
and  the  enemies  of  the  Sabbath  generally,  and  tell  us,  whether 
it  would  be  difficult  for  such  a  phalanx,  headed  by  a  Nero  or  a 
Robespierre,  to  vote  away  our  Sabbaths  and  our  religion ;  pillage 
our  dwellings  ;  ravish  our  wives  and  our  daughters ;  and  butcher 
every  man,  woman,  and  child  who  embraced  the  Protestant  re- 


ADDRESS   TO   BUSINESS   MEN.  347 

ligion  ?  Many  in  the  city  of  New- York,  during  the  riots  last 
summer,  were  heard  to  wish,  that  every  Protestant  church  in 
that  city  were  in  ashes,  and  every  Christian  drowning  in  the 
dock. 

We  already  begin  to  experience  the  judgments  of  heaven,  in 
consequence  of  sin ;  and  great  will  be  the  guilt,  and  awful  the 
doom  of  the  individual,  or  the  community,  that  persists  in  those 
practices  which  render  it  necessary  for  God  to  come  out  in  judg- 
ments against  a  people.  Dare  any  person  take  the  responsibility 
of  contributing  to  the  continuance  of  a  sin,  which  is  fraught 
Avith  so  much  danger  to  individuals  and  communities  ? 

If  Sabbath-breaking  then,  tends  to  weaken  the  physical  pow- 
ers of  man,  derange  his  intellect,  contaminate  his  morals,  waste 
his  property,  and  shorten  life,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  na- 
tion, so  long  as  the  present  system  of  Sabbath  operations  is  con- 
tinued, is  in  immment  danger.  If  Sabbath  profanation  brings 
down  upon  an  individual,  a  community,  or  a  nation,  the  displea- 
sure of  our  Maker,  and  if  all  nations  and  people,  who  have  been 
guilty  of  it,  and  have  not  repented,  have  gone,  or  are  going  to 
ruin,  surely,  while  we  practise  this  sin,  we  have  every  reason 
to  be  alarmed. 

Such  consequences  of  this  sin,  seem  to  be  perfectly  natural, 
and  to  the  critical  observer  unavoidable ;  for  the  whole  man, 
physically  and  mentally,  his  property,  health  and  life,  are  the 
property  of  the  nation.  When  in  their  most  healthy  and  vigor- 
ous state,  the  nation  is  the  most  powerful,  wise,  and  prosperous. 
But  let  these  be  weakened,  deranged,  or  destroyed,  by  any  means, 
and  the  nation  is  injured ;  and  if  the  government  cannot  be  sus- 
tained without  them  in  their  most  perfect  state,  we  are  in 
danger. 

No  nation  ever  rose  and  prospered,  in  wealth,  intelligence,  vir- 
tue, peace,  and  power,  without  the  aid  of  the  Sabbath ;  and  no 
nation  ever  continued  long  in  such  prosperity  without  its  aid.  If 
these  remarks  are  applicable  to  nations  generally,  much  more  to 
republican  governments. 

Let  every  man,  therefore,  who  values  the  Sabbath,  and  would 
remove  the  great  evil  of  its  desecration,  earnestly  and  respect- 
fully petition  Congress,  without  delay,  to  repeal  the  law  requir- 


348  THE   SABBATH. 

ing  labor  on  Sunday  in  the  PostofRce  Department.  Our  Sab- 
baths will  never  be  duly  observed.^  while  that  law  is,  in  force.  It  is 
an  unreasonable  law,  an  unjust  law — injurious  to  those  connect- 
ed with  the  Postoffice  Department,  and  thousands  of  others ;  un- 
necessary, because  a  mail  six  days  in  the  week,  is  as  often  as  we 
need  one,  since  we  are  required  to  rest  from  all  secular  cares  on 
the  Sabbath ;  unreasonable,  because  such  a  law,  complied  with, 
brings  innumerable  evils  upon  our  land,  and  exposes  us  to  the 
witherin^i:  judgments  of  heaven. 

They  should  also  petition  the  States  to  prevent  labor  being 
done  on  their  canals  and  railroads,  on  that  day.  For  why  should 
a  State  receive  into  its  treasury  money  acquired  by  labor  on  Sun- 
day ?  Christians  will  not  labor  for  money  on  that  day ;  they 
will  not  engage  an  individual  to  labor  for  money,  and  pay  tjiem 
on  that  day ;  and  why  should  they  suffer  companies  of  men  to 
labor  for  them  ?  It  is  their  duty  to  ask  the  States,  to  prevent  it, 
on  their  roads,  fee. 

Legislators  are  bound  not  only  to  enact  laws  to  punish  offend- 
ers, but  to  prevent  doing  those  things  which  tend  to  the  injury  of 
individuals,  or  the  community.  Neh.  xiii.  15-22.  Traveling 
and  labor  on  these  public  thoroughfares,  must  therefore  be  f  re- 
vented^  before  we  can  see  the  Sabbath  observed. 

Our  nation  need  but  look  at  this  subject  to  be  induced  to  come 
to  the  aid  of  a  neglected  and  profaned  Sabbath.  Let  us  there- 
fore present  the  subject  to  them,  fully,  respectfully  and  repeated- 
ly ;  that  our  land  may  be  clear  from  this  sin,  and  safe  from  im- 
pending judgments. 

Business  men  in  this  republic,  are  you  willing,  by  desecrating 
the  Sabbath,  to  make  sure  and  hasten  the  day  of  terror  and  of 
death  ?  Will  you  now  pursue  such  a  course  as  will  render  it 
necessary  for  your  then,  perhaps,  orphan  children  and  your 
widows,  to  seek  shelter  in  lands,  now  heathen,  where  they  may 
be  more  safe  and  secure,  as  Bonaparte  told  Lafayette,  it  would  be 
more  for  his  health  to  retire  from  Paris  to  his  estate  ?  In  your 
thirst  for  wealth  and  influence,  are  you  not  in  danger  of  overlook- 
ing the  only  means  which  can  preserve  your  own  happiness  and 
safety,  and  that  of  your  friends,  and  of  this  nation  ?  If  labor  and 
amusements  be  continued  on  the  Sabbath,  it  will  be  utterly  im- 


ADDRESS    TO  BUSINESS   MEN.  349 

possible  to  prevent  wickedness  from  overrunning  the  land,  and 
anarchy  from  distracting  the  people.  There  is  but  one  alterna- 
tive ;  Sahbath  profanation  must  cease,  or  our  liberties,  and  our 
religion  are  lost.  We  Avould  rather  be  a  subject  of  the  autocrat 
of  Russia,  and  dwell  among  the  snows  and  frosts  of  Siberia,  or 
under  the  rod  of  the  veriest  despot  upon  earth,  than  remain  ia 
this  nation,  now  so  highly  favored,  when  God  shall,  for  the 
sin  of  profaning  his  day,  dash  her  in  pieces  "like  a  potter's 
vessel."  There  are  already  many  conflicting  passions  and  inter- 
ests among  us,  hard  to  be  controlled,  even  in  this  day  of  Chris- 
tian restraint ;  but  what  will  be  our  condition,  when  this  re- 
straint shall  have  been  withdrawn,  and  we  shall  be  given  up, 
like  a  tempestuous  ocean,  to  the  winds  and  storms  of  intestine 
dissensions ;  wave  dashing  against  wave,  until  our  Union  is  brok- 
en, and  we  become  our  own  executioners  ? 

What,  we  ask,  without  the  principles  of  the  Bible,  the  fear 
of  a  future  retribution,  kept  alive  by  the  influence  of  a  Sabbath, 
can  keep,  even  in  this  country,  our  property,  our  reputation,  and 
our  lives,  from  the  outrages  of  a  mob  ?  In  this  state  of  things, 
is  it  possible  that  rational,  intelligent  men  will  trample  under 
foot  the  only  institution  that  can  save  us?  Our  Republican 
Government  cannot  save  us.  That  depends  on  the  morality, 
intelligence,  and  religion  which  the  Bible  presents,  through  the 
medium  of  the  Sabbath,  as  our  only  hope,  for  safety  and  perpe- 
tuity. So  long  as  our  religion  and  our  Sabbaths  save  us,  we 
shall  save  our  government,  and  that  will  save  us  no  longer. 

The  professional  men,  mechanics,  and  agriculturists  of  this 
nation,  have  formed  themselves  into  a  kind  of  copartnership,  to 
erect  a  mighty  superstructure,  whose  influence  shall  be  felt  un- 
til every  despot  shall  be  dethroned,  and  light  and  life,  liberty 
and  peace,  bless  the  entire  family  of  man.  They  are  brave  men, 
republican  men ;  and  their  bond  of  union  is  the  Constitution  of 
these  United  States.  To  the  accomplishment  of  this  great  and 
desirable  object,  every  man,  and  every  class  of  men  among  us, 
owe  their  best  services.  But,  if  what  has  been  said  be  true, 
then,  surely,  the  man  who  wantonly  desecrates  the  Lord's  day 
cannot  be  a  valuable  partner  in  such  a  firm ;  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, like  the  gangrene,  which,  left  to  its  natural  tendency,  pro- 
30 


350  THE   SABBATH. 

duces  inevitable  death,  will  not  only  jeopard  the  dearest  inter- 
ests of  all  his  partners,  and  reduce  this  nation  to  the  condition  of 
Pagans ;  but  cut  off  the  world's  last  hope  of  liberty,  and  doom 
his  family  and  friends  to  worse  than  the  kraal  of  the  Hot- 
tentot. 

We  see,  then,  that  the  man  who  desecrates  the  Lord's  day  is 
injuring  himself,  the  community,  and  the  nation  in  which  he 
lives.  If  he  labor  seven  days  in  a  week,  his  physical  powers 
are  weakened,  and  the  nation  loses  his  most  vigorous  bodUy 
efforts.  He  impairs  his  intellect  and  corrupts  his  morals,  and 
the  nation  loses  the  wisdom  and  salutary  influence  which  he 
might  otherwise  have  exerted  on  it.  The  man  who  wantdhly 
profanes  that  day  must  necessarily  lose  property,  injure  himself, 
his  family,  his  friends,  his  neighbors,  and  dishonor  God.  But 
by  duly  observing  it,  he  gains  in  bodily  and  mental  health,  and 
his  business  is  done  with  greater  ease  and  more  correctness. 
Besides,  the  horse  and  the  ox,  which  toil  for  our  benefit,  will  be 
in  better  plight  to  perform  their  task ;  and  all  around  will  be 
comfortable  and  happy. 

We  see  no  necessity  for  labor  on  the  Sabbath.  Let  all  busi- 
ness be  suspended  on  the  day  of  rest,  and  it  can  be  done  better  m 
six  days ;  the  same  price  will  be  paid  for  doing  it,  and  to  the 
same  individuals.  But  Sabbath-breaking  leads  to  wretched- 
ness here,  and  to  perdition  hereafter.  By  it  a  man  loses  all 
that  is  valuable  in  this  life  and  in  the  life  to  come,  and  gains  no- 
thing but  poverty,  ignominy,  and  all  the  evils  which  can  possi- 
bly be  entailed  on  a  human  being. 

Let  us  now  ask  business  men,  with  the  history  of  fallen  king- 
doms and  lost  generations,  and  the  word  of  God  before  you, 
dare  you  live  without  a  Sabbath  ?  Would  you  blot  it  out  if  you 
could  ?  If  you  continue  to  labor  on  that  day,  and  cause  others 
to  do  so,  you  need  not  expect  to  escape  the  doom  of  other  Sab- 
bath-breakers, for  that  will  be  impossible.  We  infer  this,  from 
well  authenticated  facts,  corresponding  exactly  with  the  divine 
prediction. 

Would  you  have  your  children^  too,  left  without  a  day  of  rest  ? 
Then  continue  the  practice  of  labor,  carrying  and  opening  the 
mail,  running  stages,  boats  and  railcars ;  lading  and  unlading 


ADDRESS  TO  BUSINESS  MEN.  351 

boats  and  vessels  on  that  day,  and  it  will  most  certainly  be  ac- 
complished. 

But  while  you  continue  this  practice,  few  spiritual  blessings 
will  descend  upon  the  communities  where  it  is  most  witnessed  ; 
there  will  be  few  revivals  of  religion,  and  few  inquiring  the  way 
to  eternal  life.  What  advantage  can  you  derive  from  all  this  toil 
and  anxiety  for  a  little  worldly  good,  procured  at  the  displeasure 
of  Him  who  gave  you  your  being,  and  will  soon  call  you  to  an 
account  ?  What  will  compensate  you,  in  the  hour  of  dissolution 
and  at  the  judgment,  for  all  that  you  have  lost  by  this  disobedi- 
ence ?  Nothing,  nothing.  Then,  as  you  value  your  present  and 
everlasting  happiness — the  happiness  of  your  iriends  and  your 
children,  and  a  dying  world  ;  as  you  value  the  favor  of  God,  and 
the  glories  of  immortality,  we  beseech  you  not  to  rest,  until  the 
present  system  of  Sabbath  profanation  is  entirely  done  away. 

Cleveland^  Nov.,  1834, 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

REVIEW  OF  THE  REPORT  OF  A  COMMITTEE  OF  THE 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY,  ON  THE  SANCTIFICATION  OF 
THE     lord's    day. 

The  reviewer,  during  the  last  twenty  years,  has  traveled 
some  thousands  of  miles  annually ;  and  his  observations  have 
not  been  limited  to  young  or  old,  rich  or  poor,  learned  or  igno- 
rant. His  attention  for  many  years  has  been  particularly  direct- 
ed to  the  manner  in  which  the  Lord's  day  is  observed.  And  it 
is  his  deliberate  opinion,  that  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer  was 
never,  in  this  land,  in  so  much  danger  as  at  the  present  time? 
and  that  from  the  influence  of  anti-Sabbath  principles  and  con- 
duct. Now,  is  it  not  worth  the  little  attention  requisite,  to  see 
whether  this  opinion  be  correct  ?    But,  to  the  Report. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  convened  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  May,  1835,  the  subject  of 
Sabbath  desecration  was  presented  to  the  Committee  on  Bills 
and  Overtures,  and  by  them  to  the  Assembly.  A  Committee  to 
consider  and  report  on  the  subject  was  appointed  by  Dr.  Phillips, 
Moderator  of  the  Assembly,  and  the  report,  as  presented  by 
their  chairman.  Dr.  Beman,  is  as  follows : 

"  Your  Committee  have  devoted  as  much  attention  as  circum- 
stances would  permit,  to  the  important  matter  entrusted  to  their 
consideration,  and  they  are  now  prepared  to  lay  before  the  As- 
sembly the  result  of  their  inquiries.  One  fact  in  relation  to  this 
subject,  though  painful  and  humiliating,  cannot  be  disguised. 
The  desecration  of  the  Sabbath  is  increasing  with  unaccountable 
rapidity,  in  almost  every  part  of  our  beloved  country.  And  your 
Committee  are  constrained  to  expect,  at  no  distant  period,  the 


EEVIEW   OF   REPORT.  ^  353 

entire  obliteration  of  this  holy  day,  unless  something  is  speedily 
done  to  arouse  the  slumbering  energies  of  the  church,  for  the 
purpose  of  arresting  the  footsteps  of  this  growing  evil.  While 
there  may  be,  and  probably  are,  a  few  places  in  which  Sabbath- 
breaking  has  been  checked,  by  the  united  influences  of  the  pul- 
pit and  of  a  salutary  discipline,  at  least  so  far  as  the  church  is 
concerned,  we  have  only  to  look  into  our  large  cities,  in  relation 
to  this  evil,  glance  the  eye  upon  our  navigable  rivers,  trace  the 
long  line  of  our  canals,  number  the  cars  upon  our  numerous  rail- 
roads, or  listen  to  the  perpetual  rumbling  of  stages  upon  our 
turnpikes,  in  order  to  be  convinced  that  the  profanation  of  the 
Sabbath  is  a  sin  of  giant  growth  in  our  land.  It  is,  indeed,  a 
deep-seated  and  increasing  evil.  It  enters  into  almost  every 
commercial  interest  in  the  land,  and  embraces,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, in  its  broad  sweep  of  mischief,  a  vast  multitude  of  indi- 
viduals in  the  community,  and  not  a  few  in  the  church  of  the 
living  God. 

"  The  various  ways  in  which  the  Sabbath  is  desecrated,  are 
almost  without  number.  But  among  reputable  portions  of  the 
community,  the  most  common  is  traveling  upon  railroads,  and  in 
stages,  and  canals,  and  steamboats. 

"  In  these  humble  conveyances  may  be  found,  upon  the  Sab- 
bath day,  multitudes  of  ministers  and  lay  members  of  the  differ- 
ent Christian  churches,  and  of  that  very  branch  of  Zion,  too,  to 
which  the  members  of  this  Assembly  belong.  It  is  with  deep 
regret  that  your  committee  add,  upon  satisfactory  evidence,  that 
a  number  of  the  members  of  this  Assembly,  on  their  way  to  the 
place  of  meeting,  traveled  in  the  ordinary  public  conveyances  on 
the  Sabbath.  Your  Committee  believe  that  the  Bible  and  the 
history  of  the  world  fully  justify  and  establish  the  followuig 
positions : 

"  That  the  rest  of  the  Sabbath  is  a  wise  and  merciful  pro- 
vision for  the  animal  system : 

"  That  the  sanctification  of  this  day  stands  connected  with  the 
best  interests  of  a  nation  : 

"  That  Christianity  cannot  prevail  and  triumph  in  an  indi- 
vidual heart,  or  in  the  world,  without  the  aids  of  the  Sabbath : 

30* 


354  THE  SABBATH. 

"  That  a  nation  without  this  institution  must  have  already- 
become,  or  will  soon  be,  a  nation  of  infidels  : 

"  That  in  our  country,  where  the  stability  of  our  institutions 
depends  upon  the  virtue  and  piety  of  the  people,  the  moral 
power  of  the  Sabbath  is  more  imperiously  demanded  than  any 
other : 

"And  that  the  united  influence  of  the  Christian,  the  philan- 
thropist, and  the  patriot,  is  now  called  for,  to  remove  existing 
evils  in  relation  to  the  Sabbath,  and  to  protect  their  institutions 
from  future  and  more  alarming  desecration. 

"  In  view  of  the  responsibility  of  this  General  Assembly,  and 
especially  to  that  branch  of  the  church  which  we  represent, 
your  Committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  reso- 
lutions : 

"  1.  Resolved^  That  the  General  Assembly  look  upon  the  ex- 
isting and  increasing  violations  of  the  Sabbath  with  unmingled 
sorrow;  and  we  fully  believe  that  the  time  is  come  for  the 
friends  of  the  Sabbath  to  make  new  and  vigorous  efforts  to  re- 
store this  institution  to  its  original  purity. 

"  2.  That  this  Assembly  would  affectionately  recommend  to 
the  Synods,  Presbyteries,  and  Church  Sessions  under  their  care, 
to  take  such  order  on  this  subject  as,  in  their  judgment,  shall  be 
best  adapted  to  preserve  the  members  of  our  churches  from  the 
sin  of  Sabbath-breaking. 

"  3.  That  this  Assembly  bear  their  decided  testimony  against 
traveling  on  any  part  of  the  Sabbath,  and  especially,  as  is  some- 
times done,  by  members  of  this  judicatory,  on  their  way  to  the 
place  of  meeting. 

"  4.  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Assembly,  when  ministers  of 
the  gospel  travel,  in  steam  or  packet  boats,  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  they  generally  increase  the  evils  of  their  example  by 
preaching,  or  performing  any  other  public  religious  services  on 
board  of  these  boats.  Such  services  are  calculated,  not  only  to 
spread  the  knowledge  of  Sabbafh-breaking  by  the  minister,  but 
also  to  quiet  his  own  conscience,  and  the  consciences  of  others, 
in  traveling  on  the  holy  day  of  God. 

"  5.  That  when  ministers,  or  other  members  of  our  churches, 
have  been  known  to  have  traveled  on  the  Sabbath,  it  shall  be 


REVIEW   OF   REPORT.  355 

the  duty  of  judicatories,  to  which  they  are  amenable,  to  institute 
process  against  them  for  Sabbath-breaking. 

"  6.  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Assembly,  Christians  who 
own  stock  in  steamboats  or  packets,  in  turnpikes  or  railroads,  or 
are  concerned  in  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  or  in  Postoffices, 
where  the  use  of  such  stock,  or  the  prosecution  of  such  business 
involves  the  constant  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  are  guilty  of  a 
deliberate  and  systematic  disregard  of  the  fourth  commandment, 
and  ought  to  be  dealt  with  accordingly. 

"  7.  That  this  G-eneral  Assembly  recommend  to  the  churches 
under  their  care,  to  observe  the  third  Thursday  in  November 
next,  as  a  day  of  humiliation  and  prayer,  in  view  of  the  sin  of 
Sabbath-breaking;  and  that  the  several  inferior  judicatories  take 
order  on  the  subject,  and  cause  such  religious  exercises  to  be 
observed  as  may  be  deemed  expedient,  in  different  portions  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  within  our  bounds." 

It  would  seem  that  every  Christian  could  adopt  and  publish 
to  the  world  such  a  report.  But  what  was  the  result  ?  After 
the  report  was  read,  it  was  moved  and  seconded  that  it  be  ac- 
cepted and  laid  on  the  table — no  remarks — and  the  motion  was 
carried. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  the  report  was  called  up,  and,  after 
a  second  reading,  with  but  few  remarks  on  the  conduct  of  those 
members  who  had  traveled  on  Sunday  to  reach  that  place,  the 
subject  was  indefinitely  postponed. 

What  the  objections  were  to  adopting  this  report,  or  substi- 
tuting something  in  its  stead,  is  not  known ;  but  we  are  very 
confident,  that  many  members  of  that  respectable  body  were  in 
favor  of  the  report. 

Little  did  we  think,  that  one  of  the  highest,  most  intelligent, 
and  most  influential  ecclesiastical  bodies  in  these  United  States, 
would  so  soon  follow  the  wicked  example  of  Congress,  in  re- 
fusing fully  to  consider  this  subject.  For,  when  that  day  is 
secularized  by  ministers,  not  only  in  this,  but  in  other  denomi- 
nations, by  lower  officers  in  the  church,  and  private  members 
without  number — when  the  soul  of  the  good  man  is  vexed,  from 
week  to  week,  and  from  year  to  year,  by  the  contempt  and  dis- 
regard which,  as  it  were,  by  common  consent,  are  every  where 


356  THE    SABBATH. 

heaped  upon  that  institution — when  the  children  and  youth  of 
our  land  are  taught,  by  the  example  of  our  statesmen,  our  jurists, 
our  rich  men,  our  business  men,  to  trample  that  day  in  the  dust 
— when  large  portions  of  our  poor  freemen,  are  now,  by  public 
consent,  and  common  usage,  under  a  bondage  no  less  severe  than 
the  chains  of  the  African,  and  compelled,  week  after  week, 
month  after  month,  and  year  after  year,  to  labor  on  Sunday,  as 
stage- drivers,  boatmen,  livery-tenders,  innkeepers'  domestics, 
Postoffice,  warehouse,  and  custom-house  clerks,  and  in  many 
other  ways;  and  that,  too,  with  no  additional  wages  as  the  re- 
ward, poor  as  it  might  be,  for  this  extra  toil — while  private 
Christians,  with  only  here  and  there  an  exception — while  whole 
churches,  and  ecclesiastical  bodies,  from  the  highest  to  the  low- 
est, are  silent,  and  appear  unconcerned  on  this  subject,  or  say  a 
little,  and  perhaps  do  nothing ;  that  that  high  judicatory  of  the 
churchy  the  General  Assembly,  should  refuse  even  to  give  their 
opinion,  when  earnestly  solicited  to  do  so — leaving  the  church 
and  the  world  to  conjecture^  whether  they  intend  to  espouse  the 
cause  of  the  Sabbath,  or  to  go  over  to  the  side  of  its  enemies,  is 
altogether  unaccountable. 

Here  is  an  evil,  admitted  by  their  own  committee  to  be  of 
"giant  growth."  Complaints  are  coming  up  to  them,  and  the 
cry  for  help,  to  preserve  an  institution  which  is  deemed  of  vital 
importance  to  the  interests  of  the  church,  is  raised,  and  all  must 
be  hushed,  must  be  "  indefinitely  postponed,'^''  and  that,  too,  by  a 
body  of  men  to  whom,  with  others,  was  committed  that  blessed 
day  for  safe  keeping  !  !  And  when  some  of  their  number  have 
transgressed,  rather  than  call  them  to  account,  as  Christians  are 
bound  by  their  covenant  to  do,  this  holy  cause  must  be  put  by, 
and  suffer,  that  the  offenders  may  go  away  unirapeached  ! 

We  rejoice  that  all  ecclesiastical  bodies,  and  former  General 
Assemblies,  have  not  treated  the  subject  in  this  manner;  but 
still  we  must  say,  that,  generally,  though  they  have  talked  and 
resolved  well,  they  have  not  done  what  they  might  have  done 
to  save  this  neglected,  dishonored  day. 

Hitherto,  when  efforts  have  been  made  to  awaken  a  deeper 
interest  in  relation  to  this  subject,  obstacles  have  been  thrown  in 
the  way,  and  difficulties  have  been  presented  and  multiplied. 


REVIEW   OF   REPORT.  357 

The  cry  from  the  far  east  has  been,  "  You  must  not  put  forth 
any  effort,  which  can  be  recognized  as  an  attack  on  the  evil  of 
which  we  complain.  If  you  send  forth  agents  to  preach  against 
this  sin,  or  if  you  publish  a  paper  denouncing  it,  you  wiU  awaken 
an  opposition  which  it  will  not  be  possible  to  withstand.  What 
is  done,  must  be  done  silently,"  or,  in  other  words,  without 
doing  any  thing.  Some,  over  all  our  land,  were  expressing  these 
opinions ;  and  they  were  the  opinions  of  the  commissioned  and 
highly  honored  servants  of  Jesus  Christ — commanded  to  cry 
aloud  and  spare  not,  when  sin  of  any  kind  is  making  its  ravages 
among  the  institutions  of  the  gospel.  And  what  has  been  the 
effect  of  all  this  ?  Just  what  might  have  been  expected.  Most 
of  those  who  wanted  to  cry  aloud,  have  held  their  peace ;  and 
the  Sabbath  has  been  trodden  down  and  polluted  so  long,  in  so 
many  ways,  in  such  numberless  instances,  in  high  and  low 
places,  that  we  have  almost  forgotten  that  it  is  a  sin  to  do  so. 
The  enemies  of  that  day  have  been  making  converts  to  their 
sentiments,  until  they  now  feel  that  the  day  is  nearly  annihi- 
lated in  many  places,  so  far  as  its  sanctity  is  concerned ;  and 
continuing  so  a  little  longer,  our  religion  will  go  along  with  it. 
They  are  not  much  mistaken  in  these  opinions.  It  is  believed 
that  the  greater  part  out  of  the  church,  and  many  in  the  church, 
are  very  sceptical,  to  say  the  least,  about  this  day.  And  most 
ministers  and  people  have,  to  such  a  degree,  lost  the  sense  of 
its  sacredness,  that  a  reformation  is  almost  hopeless.  We  now 
connive  at  and  indulge  in  many  things,  which,  twenty  years  ago, 
few,  however  impious,  would  have  dared  to  do. 

There  is  but  little  Sabbath  in  our  nation,  as  will  readily  be 
seen  by  those  who  are  on  the  Imes  of  the  canals,  rail  roads,  turn- 
pikes, navigable  rivers,  sea-ports,  and  in  our  large  cities  and  vil- 
lages. And  where  is  the  minister  who  has  dared  stand  up  in 
his  place,  and  enumerate,  one  by  one,  all  the  ways  in  which 
this  day  is  desecrated,  and  warn  the  offenders  of  their  guilt  and 
approaching  doom  ?  Who  has  done  all  he  could  for  this  cause  ? 
We  know  there  are  a/ew;  who  have  done  much  ;  but  their  num- 
ber is  quite  too  small  to  make  much  impression  upon  such  a 
dense  crowd  of  Sabbath-breakers  as  now  reaches  from  one  ex- 


358  THE    SABBATH. 

tremiiy  of  our  land  to  the  other.  Yes,  their  voice  is  lost  in  the 
din  of  business. 

Our  youth,  if  they  do  not  join  v/ith  the  infidel,  in  denying  the 
Sabbath  to  be  of  divine  appointment,  or  saying  it  was  designed 
only  for  the  Jews,  have  but  little  respect  for  the  day ;  for  much 
that  they  see  and  hear  is  calculated  to  make  them  forget  that 
God  has  said,  "Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy." 

Were  we  to  hang  up  before  every  youth  in  this  land,  and  there 
let  them  remain,  all  the  obscene  prints  which  have  been  accu- 
mulating these  sixty  centuries,  think  you  that  the  next  genera- 
tion could,  under  such  circumstances,  be  a  chaste  and  virtuous 
generation  ?  Would  the  fond  parent  manifest  no  anxiety  for 
the  safety  and  respectability  of  his  child,  while  thus  exposed  ? 
or  rather,  would  not  every  such  person  cry  out,  in  the  anguish 
of  his  soul,  "  Away  with  these  foul,  polluting,  and  debasing 
allurements  of  hell ;  they  are  corrupting  the  minds  of  our  youth, 
and  turning  away  their  feet  from  the  paths  of  innocence  and 
peace; — away  with  them,  let  not  a  single  vestige  remain." 

Now  there  are  constantly  before  the  eye  of  every  youth  and 
child  in  our  land,  many  Sabbath-breaking  establishments  and 
men,  who  hahitually  desecrate  that  day.  And  is  it  possible  that 
these  children  should  remain  uncontaminated  with  their  influ- 
ence ?  It  is  not  possible ;  Sunday  schools,  Bible  classes,  and  the 
few  cold  and  heartless  remonstrances  to  the  contrary,  notwith- 
standing. No,  it  is  not  possible.  Poor  human  nature  is  poor 
human  nature,  at  all  times,  and  every  where ;  and  if  you  would 
have  it  receive  no  harm,  you  must  keep  it  out  of  harm's  way. 

What  should  be  thought  of  the  mmister  of  the  gospel,  who 
is  not  alarmed  at  this  increasing,  desolating  evil,  and  neglects  to 
warn  the  church  and  the  world  of  their  guilt  and  danger  in  con- 
sequence of  it  ? 

It  should  be  known  that  the  church  are  as  much  in  the  way 
of  this  reform,  as  the  world  are  ;  that  most  ministers  do  not 
plainly,  affectionately,  and  fearlessly  remonstrate  with  such  of 
their  hearers,  as  violate  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath,  by  running 
boats,  stages,  rail  cars,  &c.,  and  by  compelling  men  to  labor  on 
that  day  of  God,  which  he  has  commanded  to  be  kept  holy,  not 
only  by  the  master,  but  by  the  servant,  the  rich  man,  and  the 


REVIEW  OF  REPORT.  359 

poor  man ; — that  few,  if  any,  like  Nehemiah,  "  cry  aloud,  and 
spare  not,"  against  the  practice  of  transporting  along  our  tho- 
roughfares, and  bringing  into  our  cities  the  mail,  wares,  and 
merchandise  on  that  day  of  Rest — that  few,  if  any,  dare  jeopard 
their  living  by  reproving  this  sin  in  all  its  multifarious  forms, 
and  by  speaking  so  loud  and  long,  that  their  voice  will  be  dis- 
tinctly heard  by  all  the  people  over  whom  they  are  placed. 

In  Ezekiel  xxii.  26,  we  see  that  among  the  many  wicked 
things  which  the  priests  had  done,  one  was,  that  they  "  hid  their 
eyes  from"  God's  "  Sabbaths."  Also  in  the  days  of  the  prophets, 
men  violated  the  Sabbath  as  they  now  do  by  transporting  their 
wares  and  merchandise  on  that  day  ;  and  these  two  evils  were 
considered  sufficient  to  prompt  Nehemiah  to  do  all  that  he  did 
to  restore  the  rest  of  that  day.  And  dare  any  minister,  or  pri- 
vate Christian,  say  that  he  is  not  now  called  upon,  as  loudly  as 
Nehemiah  was,  to  prevent  the  continuance  of  this  evil  ?  No 
one  can  prove  that  the  sin  is  not  as  great  and  common  now,  as 
it  was  then.  And  why  do  we  not  hear  the  voice  of  many  Ne- 
hemiahs  in  all  directions  ?  Doubtless,  because  there  is  a  want 
of  his  spirit  among  us  ;  not  because  there  are  not  as  many  and 
as  urgent  reasons,  why  we  should  do  as  he  did. 

Oh,  the  apathy,  the  indifference  on  this  subject,  look  which 
way  we  will,  and  to  whom  we  will !  The  only  people  who 
may  be  expected  to  preserve  that  institution,  and  see  that  it  is 
handed  down  unimpaired  to  posterity,  treat  it  with  neglect,  and 
cannot  be  aroused  to  make  an  eifort  to  save  it !  What,  in  view 
of  these  things,  must  be  the  feelings  of  pure  spirits  in  heaven, 
and  of  God  himself,  toward  such  professors  ?  What  ?  Judge 
ye  who  are  the  appointed  conservators  of  that  day. 

But  what  can  be  the  cause  of  this  listlessness,  this  neglect  to 
do  the  things  which  God  commanded  his  people  and  ministers 
to  do !  Last  year,  the  reasons  assigned  were,  "  We  have  waited 
so  long,  and  the  enemy  has  got  such  a  hold  ;  if  we  lift  up  our 
voice  noiv,  if  we  cry  aloud  and  spare  not,  we  shall  awaken  an 
opposition,  which  will  be  too  strong  for  us."  As  if  our  former 
neglect  to  do  our  duty,  was  an  excuse  for  not  doing  it  noic. 
"  No,  Lord,  we  cannot  go  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  crea- 


360  THE   SABBATH. 

ture,  for  it  will  awaken  an  opposition  against  us,  and  we,  too, 
shall  be  taken  and  crucified  !" 

What  would  Jesus  Christ  have  said  to  such  a  reply  from  his 
disciples  to  his  last  command,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature  ?"  Doubtless,  that  theij 
were  determined,  Judas-like,  to  prove  traitors,  and  he  would 
have  spurned  them  from  his  presence  as  unworthy  to  be  trusted 
with  so  important  a  commission.  Ho  doubtless  he  feels  at  this 
time,  when  his  ministering  servants  make  such  an  excuse  for 
not  obeying  him. 

Let  it  now  be  said,  though  it  is  said  in  love,  and  with  shame, 
and  deep  anguish  of  soul,  that  ministers  generally,  for  years 
past,  have  by  their  neglect  suffered  the  Sabbath  to  be  so  far 
converted  into  a  day  of  amusement,  and  labor,  that  there  is 
great  reason  to  fear  its  genial  influence  will  soon  be  changed 
for  the  frost  and  ice  of  deism;  and  that  this  nation,  in  conse- 
quence of  it,  will  grope  its  way,  pagan-like,  to  destruction  ;  and 
that  too,  before  the  present  generation  has  all  passed  away. 
Nothing  but  a  speedy  and  mighty  effort  among  all  the  sons  of 
Levi,  can  possibly  prevent  it — yet  most  of  them  are  sleeping, 
and  refuse  to  be  awaked  ! 

Another  reason  urged  why  we  should  not  speak  loud  on  this 
subject,  is,  that  our  nation  by  its  laws  and  sanctions  has  virtually 
abolished  the  Sabbath.  But  this  is  one  of  the  strongest  reasons 
why  ministers  should  have  spoken  long  ago,  and  why  they 
should  n(jw  speak  until  they  are  heard  ;  for  repentance,  and  the 
forsaking  this  sin  is  the  only  thing  which  can  save  us  from  utter 
ruin.  This  nation  would  never  have  dared  do  as  it  has  done,  in 
trampling  on  the  law  of  the  Sabbath,  had  ministers  done  as  they 
were  commanded  to  do.  The  children  of  Israel  never  would  have 
made  a  golden  calf  for  their  god,  at  the  foot  of  thundering  Sinai, 
had  Aaron  remonstrated,  and  ullr.rly  refused  to  participate  in 
the  sin,  or  even  to  stay  among  them  if  they  committed  it. 
Wicked  men  will  not;  no,  they  dare  not,  go  faster  or  farther  in 
any  way  than  the  ministry  will  lead  or  allow  them  to  go.  The 
whole  of  the  present  practices  of  Sabbath-breaking,  are  in  a  de- 
gree, chargeable  to  the  church  and  the  ministry,  either  by  their 
neglect  of  what  they  should  have  done,  or  their  doing  what  the 


REVIEW  OF  REPORT.  361 

should  not.  The  influence  of  the  mmistry,  we  had  almost  said, 
is  omnipotent;  and  why  should  it  not  be  so?  They  are  the 
only  representatives  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  here  on  earth,  and 
if  they  are  faithful,  assisted  by  the  power,  and  encouraged  by 
the  presence  of  their  Master,  who  is  with  them  "  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world,"  what  can  they  not  do  for  the  people  over 
whom  they  are  placed  ?  Think  of  this,  ye  ministers  of  Christ, 
young  and  old^  witii  one  or  ten  talents,  and  know  that,  if  the 
Sabbath  in  this  land  is  converted  into  a  day  of  amusement,  dis- 
sipation, and  business,  as  it  now  seems  it  soon  will  be,  you,  at 
the  judgment,  will  be  held  in  some  measure  responsible  for  it. 
For,  had  you  done  your  duty,  and  your  whole  duty,  when  the 
first  Sunday  stage,  and  boat,  and  rail-car  were  started,  by  the 
application  of  God's  truth  to  the  consciences  of  the  offenders, 
you  might  have  prevented  it.  Had  you  also  done  your  duty 
when  the  first  Sunday  mail  was  started,  that  would  have  been 
•^Jiscon  tinned. 
^'  The  REASON  MENTIONED  why  lliis  subject  should  be  "  indefi- 
niti^ly  postponed,"  was,  that  "  such  a  report"  (alluding  to  some 
of  the  members  traveling  on  Sunday  to  reach  that  place)  "  ought 
not  to  go  forth  against  the  members  of  this  Assembly."  Rather 
than  disgrace  some  dozen  or  twenty  members  of  that  body  as 
violators  of  the  fourth  commandment,  let  the  Sabbath  be  dis- 
regarded. Our  ministers  and  elders,  who  have  traveled  on 
Sunday,  must  be  screened  from  censure  !  So,  let  the  Sabbath 
go — give  it  into  the  hands  of  its  enemies — indefinitely  postpone 
the  subject,  rather  than  that  Sabbath-breakers  should  be  exposed, 
or  any  one  be  at  the  trouble  of  prosecuting  those  who  had  been 
guilty  of  traveling  on  that  day,  which  should  have  been  done 
forthivith.  Such  things,  winked  at  by  such  a  body,  will  greatly 
tend  to  destroy  our  Sabbath.  Men  in  the  church  who  do  such 
things,  no  matter  how  high  they  may  stand,  should  come  before 
the  world  with  a  confession  of  their  guilt,  and  make  known 
their  determination  not  to  do  the  like  again. 

We  have  long  witnessed,  with  painful  emotions,  the  deso- 
lating inroads  which  have  been  making  on  the  sacrcdness  of 
this  day;  have  prayed  and  waited  for  some  one  to  lift  up  his 
voice  in  its  behalf;  have  put  forth  some  feeble  efforts  to  arouse 
31 


362  THE   SABBATH. 

to  action  the  slumbering  energies  of  the  church,  but  have  la- 
bored, and  prayed,  and  waited,  ahuost  in  vain. 

Though  we  find  friends  of  the  institution,  we  do  not  find  any 
who  are  able  and  willing  to  consecrate  themselves  wholly  to  the 
work  of  saving  it  from  destruction.  That  it  is  going  to  destruc- 
tion, no  man  with  his  eyes  open  upon  the  facts  in  relation  to  it, 
can  for  a  moment  doubt.  Would  God  every  minister  might 
see  and  feel  the  great  demand  which  this  subject  has  on  his 
time,  talents,  influence,  and  best  services,  if  the  day  is  again  to 
be  restored  to  its  primitive  sacredness  and  quiet.  Let  no  one 
think  he  may  be  excused  from  this  demand  ;  it  is  laid  uponhim^ 
and  he  is  called  upon  to  discharge  it.  Attend  to  this  call  now, 
in  preference  to  any  other,  or  all  will  sink  together. 

Brethren,  this  is  not  the  cause  of  him  who  now  addresses 
you.  You,  at  last,  will  not  be  summoned  before  him  to  answer 
for  your  treatment  of  this  subject ;  but  before  that  Being  who 
commissioned  you  to  preach  the  riches  of  his  gospel-;  which 
cannot  prevail  and  bless  the  nations  of  the  earth,  unless  th  e 
Sabbath  be  sustained.  If  you  believe  that  there  is  no  danger  of 
our  being  left  with  such  a  Sabbath  as  is  witnessed  in  France, 
you  are  mistaken;  there  is  danger,  and  you  ought,  standing 
upon  your  watch-tower,  to  see  it,  and  sound  the  alarm. 

Oh,  then,  as  you  love  your  Master,  who  died  to  redeem  you 
— as  you  love  the  flocks  over  which  he  has  placed  you — and  as 
you  love  a  dying  world,  tell  us  whether  our  nation  has  done  right 
in  requiring  labor  on  Sunday — tell  us  whether  individual  States 
have  a  right  to  use  their  canals,  railroads,  and  other  public  pro- 
perty, to  make  money  on  the  holy  Sabbath— tell  us  whether  the 
stageman,  the  boatman,  the  rail-carman,  the  livery-man,  is  doing 
right,  while  laboring,  and  causing  so  many  to  labor,  on  that  day 
— tell  us  whether  the  man  of  business,  or  party  of  pleasure,  have 
a  right  to  travel  on  Sunday — Let  us  know  whether,  in  your 
estimation,  these  things  are  sinful.  If  such  acts  are  sinful  in 
the  sight  of  God,  why  not  tell  us  so,  in  so  many  words  ?  Why 
speak  so  much  in  generals,  that  none  of  these  classes  will  admit 
that  you  intend  to  reprove  them  ?  The  Sunday-laborer  and  Sun- 
day pleasure-seeker,  would  as  soon  have  you  preach  on  the 
divine  appointment,   the  perpetuity  of  the  Sabbath,  and  its 


REVIEW   OF    REPORT.  363 

universal  obligation  on  all  men,  in  all  ages  of  the  world — they 
would  as  soon  have  you  follow  this  old  beaten  track,  as  preach 
on  any  other  subject.  But  when  you  take  it  for  granted  that 
there  is,  and  always  has  been,  and  always  will  be,  such  an 
institution,  whose  observance  is  binding  on  all  men — that  we 
have  for  it  a  "  thus  saith  the  Lord,"  and  that  everlasting  des- 
truction awaits  the  man  who  continues  the  enemy  of  that  day — 
and  when  you  tell  him  he  greatly  sins  against  God,  against 
himself,  and  his  fellow-men,  in  doing  such  and  such  things,  call- 
ing each  of  them  by  their  right  name — then  it  is  that  they  will 
complain.  Then  you  will  find  that  most  men,  on  this  subject, 
are  infidels.  This  particularizing,  ministers  have  not  generally 
done,  and  they  are  not  now  doing  it — and  if  they  continue  to 
neglect  being  thus  specific  in  telling  wherein  we  sin,  and  point- 
ing out  the  consequences  of  all  this  wickedness,  nothing  less 
than  the  loss  of  our  civil  liberties,  our  religious  privileges,  of  all 
that  is  dear  in  social  life,  and  all  that  is  glorious  and  blessed 
beyond  the  grave,  must  inevitably  follow. 

The  establishment  of  a  few  six-day  lines  of  boats  and  stages 
— the  writing  of  a  few  tracts  and  articles  in  newspapers — the 
employment  of  a  few  traveling  agents,  or  publishing  a  paper  to 
plead  the  cause  of  the  Sabbath,  will  never,  alone,  produce  the 
desired  reformation.  It  might  serve  to  put  in  motion  the  wheeL 
to  wit,  the  preached  word,  from  the  mouth  of  every  minister) 
which  would  roll  forward  the  desirable  object;  but,  without  the 
assistance  of  e'very  minister,  who  has  a  reputation  for  piety,  we 
can  do  little,  or  comparatively  nothing,  in  this  cause.  If  we  do 
all  the  former  things,  without  the  latter,  nothing  is  done — but 
we  cannot  do  even  those,  without  the  aid  of  the  latter.  It  is 
expected  that  the  ministry  will  lead  in  every  good  object — xoe 
wish  them  to  lead  in  such  objects,  and  we  would  humbly  follow. 

Editors  of  religious  periodicals  are  highly  criminal  in  this 
thing.  Most  of  them,  also,  are  ministers  of  the  gospel;  and  if 
those  who  watch  over  a  few  souls  are  traitors  to  their  Master, 
while  they  do  not  faithfully  rebuke  the  guilty,  much  more  are 
those  editors,  who  are  every  week  preaching,  not  only  to  thou- 
sands of  private  Christians,  but  to  ministers  also;  and  if  they 


364  THE   SABBATH. 

would  do  their  duty,  the  church  would  be  aroused,  and  this 
alarmmg  evil  driven  from  our  midst. 

Better,  no  doubt,  would  it  be,  if  not  only  ministers,  but  pious 
editors,  who  intend  to  remain  silent  on  this  subject,  would  re- 
move from  their  places,  that  they  might  either  be  occupied  by 
those  who  would  engage  in  this  reform,  or  remain  vacant. 
This  should  be  done  on  their  account,  as  well  as  on  account  of 
others,  that  thus  they  may  avoid  the  guilt  of  neglect,  and  the 
church  and  the  impenitent  around,  may  not  be  cursed  with  un- 
faithful watchmen. 

Perhaps  many  will  be  ready  to  plead,  that  they  are  engaged 
in  so  many  good  objects  already  that  they  can  find  no  time  to 
engage  in  the  Sabbath  reform.  Some  find  time  to  engage  in 
unprofitable  disputes  about  forms  and  ceremonies,  and  unimport- 
ant points  of  doctrine,  which  are  calculated  to  wound  the  pious 
feeling,  and  create  jealousies  and  coldness  among  brethren;  all 
of  which  might  better  be  given  up,  even  if  one  had  nothing  else 
to  do;  and  especially  now,  since  there  is  a  work  before  us,  which, 
if  not  taken  hold  of,  and  accomplished  soon,  cannot  be  done  in 
many  generations  to  come. 

Let  the  Sabbath-breaker  be  told,  that  he  is  already  within  the 
suction  of  a  maelstrom,  a  tremendous  whirlpool,  drawing  him 
on  to  destruction.  "  If  thou  seest  the  wicked  man  in  his  wick- 
edness, and  will  not  warn  him,  he  shall  die  in  his  sins,  but  his 
blood  will  be  required  at  thine  hands."  How  cruel,  to  see  an 
immortal  being  in  the  road  to  inevitable  destruction,  and  not 
warn  him  of  his  danger  !  Surely,  the  blood  of  the  watchman 
is  not  too  great  a  sacrifice  to  be  required  for  so  criminal  a  neglect. 

Nehemiah  could  not  successfully  reprove  for  this  sin,  without 
particularizing.  Neither  can  you.  It  is  no  less  obstinate  now 
than  it  was  then.  Buyers,  and  sellers,  and  trading  men,  were 
engaged  in  it  then,  as  there  are  now ;  and  the  church  was  then 
involved  in  the  wickedness,  as  she  is  now.  The  temptations 
were  the  same  then  as  now ;  and  only  the  means  which  proved 
successful  then  can  succeed  now. 

The  great  difficulty  is,  that  men  will  not  feel  nor  act  on  this 
subject.  Ministers,  sitting  quietly  by  their  domestic  firesides, 
and  riding  over  their  little  parish,  seem  to  think  that  the  rest  of 


REVIEW   OF   REPORT.  365 

the  ivorld  are  as  much  a  Sabbath-keeping  people  as  themselves. 
Others  are  so  much  habituated  to  this  evil,  that  they  do  not  see 
the  sin  of  it  as  they  once  did.  There  are  some  ministers,  also, 
as  in  Ezekiel's  time,  whose  eyes  are  hid  from  the  Sabbath. 
These  men  travel  on  that  day,  and  seem  to  care  little  or  nothing 
whether  it  be  observed  or  not.  All  this  leads  to  fearful  appre- 
hensions, that  God  is  about  to  give  this  people  over  to  work  out 
their  own  destruction.  We  are  willing  to  work  in  other  things, 
whose  success  depends  on  the  triumphs  of  the  Sabbath  reforma- 
tion, but  to  labor  for  this  we  seem  to  have  no  inclination. 

Ministers  and  private  Christians  do  not  stand  by  their  brethren 
who  would  engage  in  this  reform.  If,  when  the  enterprising, 
laborious,  and  holy  Carey  was  about  to  go  to  India,  he  saw  the 
necessity  that  his  brethren,  who  staid  at  home,  should  "  hold  on 
to  the  rope"  that  was  about  to  let  him  down  into  that  "  dark 
world,"  surely  the  man  who  now  labors  to  stay  the  swelling, 
foaming,  desolating  flood  of  Sabbath-breaking,  cannot  be  insen- 
sible to  the  absolute  necessity  of  the  best  services,  and  most 
hearty  co-operation  of  every  brother  and  sister  in  Christendom. 
Criminal  indeed  must  be  the  man  or  woman  who  will  suffer 
the  individual  that  has  engaged  in  this  Herculean  task,  to  labor 
alone,  and  call  in  vain  for  the  prayers  and  the  sympathies  of  his 
brethren !  The  enemies  he  is  called  to  encounter  are  more 
formidable,  if  not  more  numerous,  than  those  who  assail  the 
foreign  missionary;  and  it  must  be  more  disheartening  and 
humiliating  to  stand  and  suffer  in  the  open  field,  annoyed  by  the 
enemy,  calling  in  vain  for  help  from  those  within  one's  sight, 
and  abundantly  able  to  succor,  than  to  be  thus  afflicted  and  desti- 
tute in  foreign  lands,  surrounded  by  vast  oceans,  dense  forests,  and 
savage  men.  Is  it  not  denying  Christ,  to  desert  brethren  in  this 
way  ?     Surely  it  is,  if  they  are  engaged  in  a  good  cause. 

If  the  brethren  of  the  church  would  aid  those  engaged  in  bring- 
ing about  this  reformation,  they  must,  whenever  a  member  of 
any  church  judicatory,  or  ecclesiastical  body,  or  an  agent  of  any 
benevolent  society,  or  ministers  of  the  gospel,  or  elders,  or  dea- 
cons, or  class-leaders,  or  private  Christians,  travel  on  journeys, 
for  business  or  for  pleasure,  go  or  send  to  the  Postoffice,  or  do 
any  work  on  Sunday,  except  works  of  mercy ;  and  whenever 
31* 


366  THE   SABBATH.  ' 

professed  Christians  hold  stock  in  any  Sabbath-breaking  estab- 
lishment— they  must  represent  the  case  of  such  delinquents  to 
the  church  or  judicatory  to  which  they  are  amenable,  and  see 
that  they  are  dealt  with  as  in  other  cases  of  misdemeanor ;  and 
if  they  refuse,  or  neglect  to  make  satisfaction,  and  reform — cut 
them  off.  If  you  would  save  the  church,  the  world,  or  the  souls 
of  the  aggressors,  cut  them  off.  No  matter  how  great,  how  rich, 
how  honored,  or  how  influential  they  may  be,  cut  them  off  with- 
out delay. 

It  is  believed  that,  until  this  course  is  pursued,  the  evil  will 
never  be  removed.  Many  other  means  have  been  tried  of  late 
but  with  no  good  effect.  If  churches  or  ecclesiastical  bodies  re- 
fuse to  notice  those  cases  which  may  be  represented  to  them, 
complain  of  them  to  higher  bodies,  to  which  they  may  be  ame- 
nable, and  let  the  professor  of  religion  know,  that  if  he  intends 
to  desecrate  the  Sabbath,  he  must  go  without  the  pale  of  the 
church  to  do  it. 

Many  such  offending  brethren  have  been  thus  reported  to  the 
churches  and  judicatories  to  which  they  belong,  and  that  has 
been  the  end  of  it.  But  if  ministers,  set  to  watch  over  such 
bodies,  had  done  their  duty — had  performed  their  covenant  vows 
— it  would  not  have  been  so.  Then  let  every  man  among  us 
who  will  pollute  the  Sabbath,  be  subjected  to  discipline,  and  the 
reform  will  be  realized.  Christia7is  must  ffj^st  be  made  to  reve- 
rence this  day;  they  should  be  made  to  do  so,  or  leave  the 
church.  It  is  believed  that  nothing  short  of  these  measures  can 
remove  the  evil.  It  must  be  inferred  from  the  report,  that  this 
is  the  course  which  the  Assembly's  committee  would  recom- 
mend, and  that  these  opinions  are  entertained  by  them.  It  cer- 
tainly will  not  do  to  let  the  evil  alone ;  it  never  will  cure  itself; 
and  if  the  church  cannot  be  induced  to  sanctify  that  day,  as  is 
required,  surely  we  need  not  expect  the  world  to  do  it. 

The  first  attempt  to  establish  a  Sunday  mail  in  our  country 
never  could  have  succeeded,  had  each  minister,  from  his  watch- 
tower,  sounded  the  alarm,  given  to  people  and  rulers  the  truth  of 
God,  and  shown  them  that  such  measures,  if  persisted  in,  must 
unavoidably  prove  the  ruin  of  this  nation.  Nothing  could  have 
deterred  the  friends  of  these  measures,  but  the  truth  of  God, 


^  REVIEW    OF   REPORT.  367 

plainly,  boldly,  and  perseveringly  proclaimed.  This  would  have 
deterred  them. 

So  with  regard  to  the  first  stage,  and  boat,  and  rail-car,  that 
were  started  on  Sunday.  At  that  moment  every  minister  ought, 
with  the  Bible  in  his  hand,  to  have  cried  "  Treason !  Treason  ! 
Death,  temporal  and  eternal,  is  before  you." 

If  these  men  had  still  persisted  in  their  sin,  against  themselves, 
against  their  country,  and  against  high  heaven,  you  should  have 
withdrawn  from  them,  every  one  of  you — have  had  no  fellow- 
ship with  them,  though  it  might  have  cost  you  your  daily  bread, 
and  your  life  even ;  and  you  should  have  ceased  not,  day  nor 
night,  as  long  as  you  could  whisper  the  voice  of  warning,  to  tell 
others  that  this  way  was  the  way  to  wretchedness  and  to  hell ; 
and  that  a  holy  God  will  not  suffer  the  rebels  to  go  unpunished. 
In  this  way  the  Sabbath  might  then  have  been  saved. 

We  know  that  there  was  not  entire  silence  on  this  subject  at 
that  time.  Some  voices,  here  and  there,  were  raised ;  but  there 
was  no  simultaneous,  universal,  and  undying  blast  heard.  The 
few  notes  which  were  raised  were  soon  lost  in  the  hum  of  busi- 
ness— and  the  interval  between  them  was  so  great,  that  one  had 
long  died  away  before  another  fell  upon  the  ear. 

But  the  evil  is  now  one  of  "giant  growth."  Though  then  it 
might  have  been  met  and  conquered  with  ease  and  safety,  it  is 
at  least  doubtful  whether  it  can  be  now.  But,  notwithstanding, 
it  must  be  met,  it  must  be  courageously,  skillfully,  and  persever- 
ingly opposed.  While  things  remain  as  they  are,  every  Chris- 
tian, in  common  with  his  countrymen,  is  in  danger  of  losing  the 
benefits  of  our  institutions,  civil  and  religious,  and  privileges, 
bought  by  the  toil,  sweat,  and  blood  of  the  fathers  of  our  country. 

If  it  should  be  asked.  How  is  this  evil  noiv  to  be  met,  we  would 
answer,  by  the  same  means  recommended  above,  as  suitable  to 
have  been  applied  when  there  was  but  one  Sunday  mail,  or  Sun- 
day stage,  or  Sunday  boat,  or  railroad  car.  Though  the  man 
who  should  now  pursue  the  course  described,  as  one  which  would 
have  been  effectual  then,  may  be  called  a  fanatic,  or  a  madman ; 
still  he  must  go  forward  in  it.  Strange,  forbidding,  unpleasant, 
and  dangerous  as  it  may  be,  he  must  go  on,  for  all  is  at  stake. 
This  may  as  well  be  done,  and  we  fall  in  the  combat,  in  the  line 


368  THE   SABBATH.  ^ 

of  duty,  as  good  soldiers,  as  not  to  be  done,  and  we  fall  as  cow- 
ards, neglecting  our  duty.  Yea,  better.  And  it  is  possible,  if 
Christians  now  do  their  duty,  all  may  not  be  martyrs,  but  some 
live  to  see  the  cause  triumph.  But  nothing  appears  clearer  to 
our  mind  than  that,  if  Sabbath  profanation  do  not  soon  cease,  a 
useful  ministry  will,  at  no  distant  period,  be  driven  from  their 
pulpits,  as  a  useless  appendage.  Fall  they  must  if  this  sin  be  not 
S0071  arrested.  What  good  soldier  would  prefer  falling  away 
from  his  post,  to  falling  in  the  front  of  the  battle,  with  his  whole 
armor  on  ? 

But  there  is  no  need  of  a  minister's  falling  if  he  do  his  duty. 
When  De  Witt  Clinton  was  Governor  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
on  some  important  occasion,  he  was  traveling  on  the  canal  from 
Buffalo  to  Utica,  where  he  and  his  retinue  had  engaged  to  spend 
the  iSabbalh.  Circumstances  rendered  it  impossible  for  them  to 
reach  the  latter  place  until  about  noon  on  the  Sunday.  In  the 
afternoon  they  went  to  the  Rev.  S.  C.  Aikin's  church.  His  sub- 
ject had  been  previously  chosen  and  prepared,  but  not  with  any 
knowledge  of  these  circumstances.  When  Mr,  Aikin  saw  the 
Governor  and  his  suite,  it  occurred  to  him  that  part  of  his  ser- 
mon was  very  severe  on  the  Sabbath-breaker,  and  he  doubted 
what  the  efiect  would  be  on  those  distinguished  gentlemen  who 
had  just  been  guilty  of  violating  the  Sabbath.  However,  he  re- 
solved on  going  forward  in  the  course  he  had  marked  out — doing 
his  duty,  regardless  of  consequences.  He  did  so.  The  next  day 
one  of  his  hearers,  a  distinguished  citizen,  began  to  apologize  to 
the  Governor  for  the  apparent  impropriety  of  Mr.  Aikin's  dis- 
course. The  Governor  interrupted  him,  and  said  "  It  was  per- 
fectly appropriate,  and  nothing  but  the  truth ;  we  did  wrong, 
and  I  was  very  unwilling  to  travel  on  that  day— he  did  just 
right."  Here  see  what  a  faithful  and  fearless  minister  of  the 
gospel  can  do;  or  rather,  see  what  tlie  sword  of  the  Spirit,  un- 
sheathed, can  do.  Let  the  same  be  done  before  all  our  rulers, 
statesmen,  jurists,  and  business  men,  and  there  will  be  no  diffi- 
culty in  stopping  the  present  system  of  Sabbath-breaking. 

The  truth  of  God  is  mighty.  In  that  and  that  alone,  we  have 
hope.  It  is  the  only  weapon  to  be  used  in  this  warfare. 
Worldly  policy  has  no  artillery  for  the  struggle  which  will  not 


REVIEW  OF  REPORT.  369 

prove  powerless  if  used  ever  so  skillfully — which  will  not  result 
in  defeat  and  shame.  Any  compromise  with  the  enemy  will 
but  make  our  overthrow  more  certain  and  dreadful. 

Ministers  of  the  Gospel  must  take  this  stand,  and  the  church 
must  sustain  them,  stand  by  them,  and  help  them  forward. 
Every  minister  must  take  this  stand ;  whether  he  be  in  a  col- 
lege, or  an  agent  of  some  benevolent  society,  an  editor,  or  a 
pastor ;  every  one  of  them  must  now  come  forward  to  the  work 
with  his  whole  soul  and  strength^  or  the  cause  can  never  be 
gamed. 

Be  it  known  unto  those  who  help  this  cause,  that  they  help 
all  other  good  objects.  But  let  this  fail,  and  all  their  skill,  vigi- 
lance, and  zeal,  cannot  save  a  single  wreck  of  the  other  good 
objects.  Let  this  fall,  and  they  must  fall  as  a  matter  of  course. 
It  need  not  be  longer  said,  "  We  must  labor  for  other  causes, 
and  that  will  help  keep  this  from  sinking ;  for  be  assured,  there 
is  already  a  leak  in  the  ship  which  will  require  every  hand  at 
the  pump,  the  oakum  and  the  chisel,  or  she  will  go  down  in 
spite  of  her  strength,  beauty,  and  utility ;  and  we  shall  all  be 
buried  in  one  common  grave.  The  ship  is  fast  being  filled— she 
is  sinking,  and  will  you  not  come  to  her  rescue  ? 

While  ministers  are  describing  this  evil,  showing  its  enormity 
and  its  consequences,  remonstrances  from  every  lover  of  the  Sab- 
bath in  this  nation  should  be  going  to  Congress  against  the  law 
compelling  and  encouraging  labor  in  the  Postoffice  department 
on  that  day.  These  remonstrances  should  be  long  and  loud. 
They  must  be  made,  until  they  are  heard  and  the  grievance  re- 
moved. The  Sabbath  never  can  he  observed  as  it  should  be, 
while  that  law  is  in  force.  So  long  as  this  nation  holds  out  a 
premium  for  desecrating  this  day,  men  will  be  found  to  do  it. 

Christians  must  also  remonstrate  against  the  practice  of  mak- 
ing our  public  thoroughfares — canals,  railroads,  and  national 
roads,  money  making  establishments  on  Sunday ;  taking  of  the 
people's  money  to  pay  lock  and  gate  tenders,  toll-gatherers, 
&c.,  and  suffering  money  earned  on  that  day  to  be  put  into  the 
public  treasury.  Now,  we,  the  people,  are  paying  out  money  for 
labor  on  Sunday,  and  making  money  on  that  day  by  means  of  our 
public  property.     While  we  suffer  this  process  to  be  going  on 


370  THE   SABBATH. 

without  remonstrating  against  it,  we  shall  be  considered  as  ac- 
quiescing in  it,  if  not  as  being  pleased  with  it.  Those  who 
order  this  labor  to  be  done  are  our  servants,  and  they  are  sup- 
posed to  represent  our  wishes.  If  they  do  represent  our  wishes, 
then  we  are  equally  guilty  with  them  ;  if  they  do  not  represent 
them,  we  ought  to  say  so. 

Where  there  is  a  regular  system  of  Sabbath  profanation  going 
on,  there  other  vices  cluster,  and  grow  and  thrive.  It  is  said, 
that  in  the  1800  boats  on  the  Erie  Canal  in  1834,  there  were 
a  thousand  prostitutes.  This  state  of  things  is  not  peculiar  to 
that  channel  of  waters.  These  individuals,  with  their  50,000 
associates  of  both  sexes,  flock  into  the  country  and  villages,  dur- 
ing the  cold  season,  and  draw  from  the  paths  of  virtue  and 
peace,  in  our  respectable  families,  each  one  his  half  dozen,  and 
then  they  in  their  turn  seduce  others,  and  a  mighty  host  are 
soon  on  their  way  to  infamy,  want,  and  perdition.  These  are 
some  of  the  fruits  which  we  are  reaping  for  our  neglect  of  the 
welfare  of  those  who  are  not  allowed  a  Sabbath  on  which  to  go 
and  hear  of  the  way  which  leads  to  life,  and  of  the  consequences 
of  not  walking  in  it.  We  have  only  to  hold  our  peace  a  little 
longer,  and  from  this  source  alone  will  flow  a  tide  of  moral  pol- 
lution and  death,  as  long  as  our  canals,  and  as  broad  as  the  land, 
which  nothing  short  of  Omnipotent  energy,  miraculously  inter- 
posed, can  turn  back. 

While  churches,  or  individual  professors,  profane  the  Sabbath, 
they  cannot  grow  in  grace,  and  their  example,  so  far  as  known, 
does  more  to  prejudice  an  ungodly  world  against  the  Christian 
religion,  and  destroy  the  influence  of  the  Sabbath,  than  all  that 
infidels  or  atheists  ever  did  or  can  do.  For  it  never  was  expect- 
ed that  they  would  wish  to  preserve  that  day,  but  it  is  expected 
that  Christians  will. 

All  history  shows  us  how  other  nations,  which  have  dared  to 
pollute  the  Sabbath,  as  we  are  doing,  have  been  swept  as  with 
the  besom  of  destruction,  except  when  prevented  by  timely  re- 
pentance and  return  to  duty.  Hence  it  appears,  that  God  cannot 
carry  on  his  plan  of  converting  the  world,  without  the  influence 
of  his  day. 

As  then  we  would  emancipate  the  world  from  sin ;  as  we  value 


REVIEW    OF   REPORT.  371 

the  present  and  future  well-being  of  our  race;  the  upbuilding  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  the  glory  of  God ;  let  us  come 
forth  boldly,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  and  call  upon  every 
man  who  now  profanes  the  Sabbath,  as  he  dreads  the  retribu- 
tions of  the  final  judgment,  and  the  pains  of  the  damned,  to 
cease  from  his  wickedness  and  lay  hold  on  eternal  life. 

From  henceforth  let  this  be  our  motto  : — Business  men  ought 
to  do  all  their  work  in  six  days^  and  rest  on  the  Sabbath,  as  the 
Lord  hath  commanded.  Though  the  evil  has  been  accumulating, 
until  it  is  mountain  high,  yet  as  great  evils  have  been  attacked 
and  conquered,  this  must  also  be,  or  the  millenium  can  never 
bless  our  world.  The  man  who  at  this  crisis  is  not  ready,  to 
wear  this  motto,  m  large  capitals,  upon  his  forehead,  is  not  fit  to 
stand  in  the  front  ranks,  and  lead  on  to  battle,  in  the  warfare 
against  this  "  giant  foe."  No,  he  is  not  worthy  a  place  in 
Gideon's  army,  but  had  better  retreat  now,  that  it  may  be 
known  who  are,  and  who  are  not  on  the  Lord's  side. 

Will  any  man  doubt  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  minister, 
often  to  warn  his  hearers  against  profaning  the  Lord's  day  ?— to 
tell  them  plainly,  solemnly,  and  affectionately,  that  traveling  on 
business  or  for  pleasure  on  that  day  is  desecrating  it ;  that  to  run 
boats,  stages,  omnibuses,  rail-cars,  &c.  &c.,  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  travelers,  or  parties  of  pleasure,  or  for  the  transportation 
of  goods  on  that  day,  is  sin  ;  that  it  is  a  great  and  national  sin, 
to  carry,  open,  and  distribute  the  mail  on  Sunday,  and,  if  con- 
tinued, will  unavoidably  prove  our  ruin;  that  it  is  a  sin  for 
merchants  to  do  business  in  their  counting  rooms,  for  boatmen 
to  lade  and  unlade,  or  run  their  boats,  and  sailors  to  lade  or 
unlade  their  vessels,  or  go  out  of  port  on  that  day  ?  that  custom- 
house officers,  toll-gatherers,  and  postmasters,  commit  sin,  by 
laboring  on  that  day  ?  that  it  is  sin  to  let  carriages  and  horses, 
to  help  desecrate  holy  time  ?  and  that  it  is  the  duty  of  minis- 
ters thus  to  particularize  and  bring  the  truth  of  God,  with  all 
the  terrors  of  the  divine  laAV,  and  thunder  it  in  the  ear  of  every 
man  who  proves  himself  an  enemy  to  his  race,  to  this  republic, 
to  our  religion,  to  his  Creator,  and  to  his  own  soul  ?  Make 
every  man,  woman,  and  child  know,  that  such  men,  in  the 
sight  of  God,  are  great  sinners,  and  that  their  practices  and  their 


372  THE   SABBATH. 

company  even  are  dangerous  ?  Is  it  not  time  to  call  this  thing 
by  its  right  name,  that  all  may  know  it  ?  Should  ministers  and 
churches  neglect  to  tell  our  state  and  national  legislatures  their 
guilt  in  this  matter,  their  responsibility  and  the  results  which 
must  follow  ? 

Every  man  should  be  made  to  feel  that  if  he  will  continue  to 
transgress  in  this  thing,  God  will  punish  him,  and  he  cannot 
escape  it.  "  The  wicked  shall  not  go  unpunished,  for  the  mouth 
of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it." 

This  evil  is  increasing  in  our  land  with  almost  the  rapidity  of 
the  rays  of  the  morning.  Every  additional  canal  and  railway 
adds  greatly  to  its  strength.  The  immense  crowds  of  foreign 
immigrants,  the  increase  of  Romanism,  and  commercial  enter- 
prise, are  but  so  many  dead  weights  to  sink  this  institution  into 
oblivion.  While  ministers  or  private  Christians,  from  fear  or 
favor,  or  from  any  other  cause,  neglect  to  denounce  this  prac- 
tice, and  plainly  and  faithfully  to  warn  every  Sabbath-breaker 
of  his  guilt  and  danger,  they  are  contributing  in  no  small  degree 
to  swell  the  tide  which  must  soon,  unless  arrested,  roll  over  this 
fair  land,  destroying  every  thing  that  is  valuable,  and  leaving  in 
its  place  all  that  can  corrupt  and  make  a  people  wretched. 

Would  ministers  do  good  to  men,  save  the  church  from  anni- 
hilation, obey  their  Master,  and  hold  their  places  as  teachers  of 
the  way  of  life,  they  7nust  call  the  practice  of  labor  or  amuse- 
ment on  Sunday,  whether  national  or  individual,  sinful,  and  only 
sinful,  which  must  speedily  be  abandoned.  They  must  not  be 
afraid  to  tell  this  nation  of  the  enormity  of  her  guilt,  so  long  as 
she  has  a  Sunday  mail,  or  demands  and  encourages  any  secular 
business  on  the  day  of  rest — that  our  State  Legislatures  greatly 
err  while  they  allow  labor  to  be  done  during  that  day  on  their 
public  works ;  and  that  Christians,  so  long  as  they  do  not  re- 
monstrate against  such  practices,  if  they  do  not  require  them, 
will  be  considered  as  acquiescing  in  them  at  least. 

They  should  often  tell  their  hearers  that  those  who  employ 
men  to  work'  on  that  day  are  not  friends  to  the  poor — they  are 
not  friends  to  human  happiness — they  are  not  friends  to  the  re- 
ligion of  the  Bible — they  are  not  friends  to  their  country,  and 
cannot  he  in  the  way  to  heaven. 


MINISTERIAL  EXCHANGES.  373 

If  it  should  be  necessary  at  any  future  time  to  say  more  on 
this  point,  the  greater  sin  will  lie  at  the  door  of  the  friends  of 
the  institution,  for  God  will  be  more  dishonored,  and  many  more 
immortal  beings  will  lie  down  in  unavailing  sorrow. 
Cleveland^  July.,  1835. 

MINISTERIAL   EXCHANGES. 

We  have  just  read  the  report  of  a  committee  to  whom  was  re- 
ferred the  subject  of  ministers  riding  on  Sunday  in  making  their 
exchanges.  It  was  presented  to  the  conference  of  Churches  in 
Massachusetts.  "  After  considerable  discussion,  in  which  both  the 
clergy  and  laity  expressed  their  views,  the  report  was  not  ac- 
cepted, as  many,  particularly  the  laity,  were  not  willing  to  give 
their  sanction  to  it,  without  further  examination."  We  presume 
that  the  more  they  examine  it,  the  less  willing  they  will  be  to 
adopt  it.  For  our  part,  we  do  not  wish  to  study  in  the  school 
where  such  ethics  are  taught;  and  even. were  we  to  admit  that 
the  premises  laid  down  are  correct,  we  could  not,  by  any  process 
of  right  reasoning,  come  to  their  conclusions.  "  We  revert  again 
to  the  principle  at  first  laid  down,  that  riding  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel is  either  secular,  and  comes  under  the  head  of  worldly  busi- 
ness, or  it  is  a  religious  service,  appropriate  to  the  Sabbath.  We 
maintain  that  it  is  a  religious  service,  and  falls  in  perfectly  with 
the  design  of  the  Sabbath."  We  have  long  supposed  that  sing- 
ing appropriate  words  in  an  appropriate  piece  of  music,  praying 
to  almighty  God,  publishing  the  news  of  salvation,  exhorting 
men  to  repent,  and  warning  them  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
are  "  religious  services,"  but  we  never  heard  before  that  riding 
was  religious  service.  "  AVhat  is  it  that  justifies  a  person,  ever, 
in  riding  on  the  Sabbath  ?  It  is  his  having  an  object  in  view 
which  is  appropriate  to  the  Sabbath.  Riding  to  preach.,  then,  is 
appropriate."  For  examples  we  are  referred  to  a  man  living 
five  or  eight  miles  from  Boston  harbor.  "  There  are  hundreds 
of  sailors  standing  about  the  wharves,  with  none  to  care  for 
their  souls."  "  The  man  gets  up  his  horse,  takes  a  bundle 
of  tracts,  and  distributes  them  among  the  poor  sailors.  Very 
well,  if  he  makes  this  his  business,  every  Sabbath.  May  God 
bless  his  labors,  and  incline  thousands  to  go  and  do  likewise- 
32 


374  THE   SABBATH. 

So  we  say  respecting  men  having  a  Sunday  school,  or  religious 
meeting,  among  a  destitute  people — let  them  go,  the  more  the 
better ;  though  the  distance  be  six  or  eight  miles,  and  they  be  lay- 
men, provided  this  is  their  uniform  practice.  We  would  say  the 
same  if  they  were  ministers  ;  or  respecting  an  itinerant  preacher 
going  from  parish  to  parish  ;  or  to  a  settled  pastor,  who  after  he 
has  preached  in  his  own  congregation,  or  congregations,  may 
ride  four,  six,  or  eight  miles,  on  Sunday  to  preach  to  the  desti- 
tute. This  is  all  right.  But  the  case  of  a  minister  riding /rom 
his  parish^  his  appointed  place  of  worship,  to  exchange  with  a 
brother  minister,  is  quite  a  different  thing.  In  the  cases  first 
mentioned,  each  goes  to  his  known,  appointed,  and  usual  field 
of  labor ;  if  they  are  not  their  usual  fields  of  labor,  let  them 
go  to  them  before  the  Sabbath,  or  stay  at  home.  But  the 
minister  who  would  exchange  with  a  brother,  should  go  before 
the  Sabbath.  If  he  does  not,  it  is  generally  to  save  time,  or  it  is 
more  for  his  convenience  to  go  Sunday  morning.  Worldly  men 
can  have  no  opportunity  to  know  the  object  of  these  ministers. 
So  many  of  them  now  travel  on  journeys,  that  it  will  not  be 
known  whether  their  object  is  to  preach  for  a  brother,  or  begin 
or  end  a  long  journey.  Nor  can  there  be  any  circumstances,  say 
the  committee,  such  as  disappointing  a  clergyman  who  expects 
his  brother  to  fill  his  place,  or  disappointing  a  people,  or  ill 
health,  and  the  like,  which  can  make  it  lawful — it  is  not  circum- 
stances, say  they,  but  the  object,  which  makes  it  lawful. 

According  to  this  doctrine,  it  would  be  lawful  for  a  minister 
to  labor  on  his  farm,  or  in  his  shop,  six  days  in  the  week,  or  visit 
his  parishioners,  or  read,  six  days  in  the  week,  and  on  Sunday 
study  and  write,  as  well  as  preach  his  sermons;  for  his  object  in 
writing  or  studying  his  sermon  is,  that  he  may  have  a  sermon  to 
preach.  The  work  of  studying  or  writing  a  sermon  cannot  be 
more  sinful  than  riding  to  the  place  where  he  can  preach.  "  If 
a  man  must  do  a  thing  on  the  Sabbath,  he  may  go  where  he  can 
do  it,"  say  the  committee.  If  a  man  must  preach  on  Sunday, 
he  may  study  and  write  his  sermon  on  that  day ;  though  he 
might  have  done  it  before,  as  in  the  other  case  he  might  have 
gone  to  his  brother's  parish  on  Saturday !  Or  if  the  minister 
has  been  long  absent  on  a  journey,  and  gets  to  Albany  on  Satur- 


MINISTERIAL    EXCHANGES.  375 

day,  p.  M.,  he  may  take  the  evening  boat  and  go  to  New  York, 
'"''for  it  voill  not  ivearyhim  to  ride  in  the  ^o«^,"and  arrive  in  time, 
Sabbath  morning ;  for  his  object  is  to  preach  to  his  people,  who 
may  be  destitute  ;  and  the  object  justifies  the  act !  Or  he  may 
live  in  Hudson.  He  is  coming  down  the  Mohawk,  and  arrives 
at  Albany  Sunday  morning,  takes  the  morning  boat  with  oth- 
er travelers,  no  one  knowing  his  object^  and  comes  to  Hudson, 
for  his  object  is  to  preach.  Oh  !  away  with  such  a  doctrine ! 
Should  it  prevail,  our  ministers  and  private  Christians  would  al- 
ways find  an  object,  which  would  answer  as  well  as  the  Com- 
mittee's object  ;  and  no  one  would  stop  when  within  twenty  or 
thirty  miles  of  home ;  unless  he  had  a  different  conscience  from 
that  of  the  committee. 

But  let  us  look  a  little  more  to  the  object.  Suppose  this  ques- 
tion to  be  put  to  our  minister,  viz :  "  For  what  are  you  going 
to  Newark  ?"  "  To  preach  for  brother  E."  Very  well ;  every 
body  believes  him — his  object  is  to  preach.  But,  why  are  you 
going  on  Sunday  ?  What  answer  must  he  give  now  to  be  be- 
lieved ?  The  committee  have  prevented  him  from  pleading  as 
an  excuse,  some  unavoidable  "  circumstances,"  which  prevented 
him  from  going  on  Saturday;  but  he  must  give  the  same  an- 
swer lie  did  before :  "  My  object  is  to  preach."  Why,  what 
should  we  think  of  the  man  ?  Should  he  tell  us,  it  was  because 
he  could  do  more  good  by  going  on  that  day,  we  shall  readily 
see,  in  order  that  our  minister  can  do  more  good  on  Sunday,  the 
ferry-boats,  and  steamboats,  and  stages,  and  rail-cars,  must  be 
kept  running  on  that  day  ;  and  the  livery  stables  must  be  kept 
open,  the  porters  stand  ready  to  wait  on  him,  &c. ;  while  he, 
by  his  example,  encourages  the  "  multitude  to  do  evil !"  If  the 
good  laymen,  likewise,  first  alluded  to,  cannot  go  to  their  usual 
places  of  labor  on  Sunday,  without  going  in  Sabbath-breaking  es- 
tablishments, or  to  the  livery  stable,  let  them  stay  at  home.  For 
we  say  that  all  such  establishments  ought  to  rest  on  that  day. 

"  Riding  to  preach  is  lawful,  on  the  same  principle  that  riding 
to  hear  the  gospel  preached  is  lawful."  Very  true,  in  cases 
which  we  have  mentioned  as  lawful,  and  when  the  man  settled 
over  a  parish,  lives  one,  two,  or  more  miles  from  his  place  of 
worship.     He  may  then  ride  as  far  as  his  parishioners  do,  and 


376  THE    SABBATH. 

it  would  be  lawful ;  but  this  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  ques- 
tion. Here  is  our  minister's  A^^o^/;?^  field  of  labor,  in  one,  two, 
or  three  places.  It  'is  right  for  him  to  go  to  these  places  on 
Sunday,  all  will  say.  But  he  wants  to  exchange  with  brother 
A.  Why  does  he  want  to  exchange  ?  "  For  convenience  sake, 
because  circumstances  render  it  necessary,  or  desirable,  or  be- 
cause we  think  most  good  can  be  effected  by  it." 

Well,  there  can  be  no  objections  to  making  the  exchange. 
Now,  when  shall  it  be  done  ?    Why,  if  he  go  on  Sunday,  he  is 

seen  off  from  his  ground.     "  Where  is  Parson  S going  ?" 

"  On  a  journey,  or  visiting,  for  aught  I  know."  As  he  passes  by 
a  stranger,  the  man  says  to  himself,  "  There  is  a  respectable 
looking  gentleman  traveling,  I  need  no  longer  hold  down  my 
head  for  shame;  for  no  doubt  traveling  on  Sunday  is  fashionable 
here."  But  if  he  go  on  this  day,  he  need  not  tell  a  man  his 
"  object"  is  to  do  more  good,  for  no  one  would  believe  him — nor 
that  his  "  object"  is  to  preach,  for  all  will  say,  "  Why  then  not 
go  on  Saturday  ?  Why  not  do  all  your  work  on  week  days,  as 
you  tell  us  to  do  ours,  that  we  may  not  have  it  to  do  on  Sunday  ? 
Surely  traveling  to  your  brother's  parish  is  not  your  business, 
any  more  than  it  is  ours."  They  might  plead  the  same  excuse, 
"  Our  object;" — but  such  logic  will  not  do. 

It  is  thought  that  we  have  before  us  conclusive  evidence  that 
the  moral  sense  of  some  ministers  as  well  as  the  laity,  has  be- 
come so  obtuse  in  relation  to  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath,  that 
we  have  a  far  greater  work  to  do  in  the  Church  than  out  of  it. 

"  If  our  practice  be  really  calculated  to  blind  men,  and  thus 
to  lead  them  into  error  and  sin,  we  ought  to  give  it  up,  even 
though  it  be  lawful."  We  are  glad  to  find  this  language  in  the 
report,  and  presume  if  the  committee  cannot  be  convinced  that 
their  practice  is  unlawful,  they  at  least  cannot  fail  to  see,  by  a 
little  observation,  that  it  is  inexpedient,,  in  the  present  state  of 
the  Church  and  the  world.  For  surely  the  real  friends  of  the 
Sabbath  are  so  few,  that  it  is  important  that  they  should  be 
agreed,  and  "avoid  even  the  appearance  of  evil." 

New- York,  October,  1835. 


WHO  SABBATH-BREAKERS  ARE.  377 

WHO  ARE  SABBATH-BREAKERS  ? 

An  imperfect  list  of  those  who,  with  but  few  exceptions,  ha- 
bitually profane  the  Sabbath. 

Postmasters,  their  assistants  and  clerks. 
Mail-carriers,  penny-posts,  news-carriers. 
Stage  proprietors,  stage  runners,  drivers  and  agents. 
Canal  and  steamboat  men  and  women,  agents  and  riders. 
Watermen  of  almost  every  class. 
Rail-carmen,  and  boys,  and  runners. 
Manufacturers,  retailers,  and  drinkers  of  alcohol. 
Innkeepers,  with  all  their  household  and  domestics. 
Livery-men  and  coachmen,  with  all  they  employ,  and  all  who 
patronize  them  on  that  day. 

Furnacemen,  coalmen,  brickmakers,  and  all  in  their  employ- 
ment 

Bakers,  butchers,  drovers,  printers  of  daily  and  Sunday  papers, 
porters,  milkmen,  washerwomen,  barbers,  boot-blacks,  peddlers, 
gamblers,  sportsmen,  ferrymen. 

The  countless  number  of  travelers ;  whether  by  land,  or 
water. 

Forwarding  merchants,  their  clerks,  agents,  and  laborers. 
Custom-house  officers,  and  their  assistants. 
Toll-gatherers  upon  canals,  railways,  bridges,  and  turnpikes. 
Lock-tenders,  and  the  long  dense  crowd  of  lookers  on. 
Merchants,  generally  when  away  from  home,  and  frequently 
when  at  home. 

Swearers :  men  of  pleasure,  and  of  sensual  indulgence. 
To  these  may  be  added  many  of  our  physicians,  lawyers,  ju- 
rists, legislators,  Congressmen,  and  office-seekers ;  and  many  in 
the  arts,  and  the  manufactures. 

Add  to  these  the  multititudes  employed  in  mining,  and  smelt- 
ing, and  in  constructing  railroads  and  canals;  deepening  and 
widening  rivers ;  exploring  new  territories ;  fishing,  hunting, 
fur-trading,  and  the  like. 

All  those  connected  with  brothels,  in  doors  or  out ;  and  the 
great  mass  of  beings  who  seem  to  care  little  for  God  or  for  man. 
It  is  presumed,  no  one  will  doubt  that  all  those  who  hahit- 
32* 


378  THE   SABBATH. 

ually  neglect  the  worship  of  God  in  public,  are  enemies  to  the 
Sabbath.  More  than  one  third  of  the  inhabitants  of  these  Unit- 
ed States,  perhaps  one  half,  may  be  ranked  in  this  class. 

How  is  it  with  the  other  half  ?  Part  occaszona//y  attend  di- 
vine worship,  and  externally  pay  some  respect  to  that  holy  day. 
But  it  will  not  be  pretended  that  all  of  this  class  should  be  claim- 
ed as  friends  of  that  day. 

Another  portion  remains,  though  small  in  number,  consisting 
of  those  who  habitually  pay  more  or  less  reverence  to  this  sacred 
institution,  and  who  are,  many  of  them,  bound  by  their  own  sol- 
emn covenant,  to  sustain  the  laws  of  God.  Can  all  this  class 
be  numbered  with  the  uniform  and  unquestionable  friends  of 
that  institution  ?  Surely  not.  For,  of  the  professors  of  the  re- 
ligion which  is  adorned  and  sustained  by  the  Sabbath  among 
this  class,  we  cannot  speak  as  favorably  as  we  would.  The 
tone  of  moral  feeling  in  relation  to  this  day  is,  and  has  been,  ex- 
ceedingly low.  Many  desecrate  this  day,  and  little  think  they 
are  sinning  against  God. 

"  Almost  every  box  of  freight,  and  article  of  merchandise  that 
fill  the  thousands  of  mercantile  houses  in  different  ports  of  our 
land,  in  the  process  of  transportation,  pass  through  Sabbath- 
breaking  channels  during  the  hours  of  that  sacred  day.  With 
few  exceptions,  merchants  ship  their  freight  as  if  there  were  no 
Sabbath:  passengers  pursue  their  journeys  as  if  there  were  no 
Sabbath  :  boatmen  are  employed,  and  horses  are  driven  as  if 
there  were  no  Sabbath  :  and  the  arrangements  of  companies,  and 
proprietors,  and  forwarders,  are  often  entered  into  as  if  there  were 
NO  Sabbath.  What  can  be  done  to  stay  this  flood  of  deso- 
lation ?" 

New  York,  1835. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

ADDRESS     TO    CHRISTIANS,    PATRIOTS,    AND     PHILAN- 
THROPISTS. 

CAUSE   AND   EFFECT. 

Nature's  laws  are  sovereign,  and,  judging  from  the  past,  will 
remain  so.  Effect  must  and  will  follow  cause,  now  and  ever,  as 
heretofore.  A  man  cannot  have  health  while  he  indulges  in 
luxury  and  dissipation,  any  more  than  he  can  take  fire  into  his 
bosom  and  not  be  burned.  If  he  be  idle  and  profligate,  poverty 
and  wretchedness  will  ensue  ;  if  industrious,  honest,  and  frugal, 
abundance  and  peace  will  be  his  reward.  As  it  is  with  indi- 
viduals, so  it  is  with  families,  neighborhoods,  and  larger  commu- 
nities. If  right  be  pursued,  all  will  be  well — if  wrong,  it  will  be 
ill  with  them. 

But  should  it  be  asked,  which  is  the  best,  and  the  safest  cri- 
terion, by  which  wrong  actions  are  to  be  tried,  we  answer,  the 
Bible — moralists,  patriots,  and  philanthropists,  say  the  Bible  — 
and  infidels,  deists,  and  atheists  admit,  almost  universally,  that 
there  is  no  better  or  safer  guide  to  right  actions,  and  a  happy 
and  prosperous  life.  They  have  never,  themselves  being  judges, 
produced  a  better.  It  might  likewise  be  argued,  and  conclu- 
sively proved  from  the  history  of  past  generations,  that  the 
code  of  morals,  laid  down  in  that  Book,  is  the  only  one  that  can 
lead  to  happiness  in  this  life.  Were  it  fully  conformed  to,  there 
would  be  heaven  below — hence  some  of  the  reasons  why  all 
men  should  obey  it. 

In  that  code  is  contained  the  law  of  the  Sabbath.  One- 
seventh  of  our  time  is  required  for  rest  and  religious  purposes. 


380  THE   SABEATH. 

As  the  laws  of  the  natural  or  Physical  world  are  inflexible,  so 
are  those  of  the  moral  world. 

You  cannot  long  have  Sunday  mails  and  civil  and  religious 
liberty. 

You  cannot  run  boats  ;  and  stages,  and  cars,  and  omnibuses, 
on  Sunday,  and  have  a  virtuous  and  moral  community. 

You  cannot  have  a  wise  and  efficient  administration,  and  a 
happy  people,  no  matter  how  good  your  Constitution  is,  and  at 
the  same  time.  Sabbath-breaking  rulers. 

You  cannot  have  even  an  intelligent,  industrious,  and  happy 
nation,  and  a  national  sanction  to  break  any  one  of  the  injunc- 
tions of  this  code ;  especially,  that  most  important  and  indispen- 
sable one,  the  fourth. 

You  cannot  have  the  Christian  religion,  nor  civil  liberty,  and 
seven  days  in  a  week  for  labor  and  amusement. 

You  cannot  have  the  religious  and  benevolent  objects  of  the 
day  in  a  flourishing  state,  with  this  system  of  Sabbath  desecra- 
tion. These  things  cannot  long  exist  together.  If  you  would 
retain  the  religion  of  the  Bible,  Sabbath-breaking  must  cease ; 
for  no  religion  ever  has  been,  or  can  be  propagated  and  sustain- 
ed, without  its  festivals,  its  seasons  for  devotion.  These  truths 
necessarily  follow,  if  the  positions  first  laid  down  be  correct. 
For  eff'ect  must  and  will  follow  cause.  If  the  Sabbath  be  pro- 
faned, people  will  not  long  assemble  to  hear  religious  and  moral 
instruction;  and  then  they  necessarily  become  ignorant  and 
vicious.  So,  the  result  in  this  country  must  soon  be  no  Sabbath, 
in  its  legitimate  hold  on  the  public  conscience,  and  no  Christian 
religion,  or  no  secular  labor  on  that  day.  Both  cannot  long  go 
together.  We  are  rapidly  approaching  the  crisis.  Which  will 
we  have  ?  Choose  quickly,  that  you  may  have  your  choice — de- 
lay, and  you  may  be  compelled  to  take  that  which  will  destroy  us. 

SABBATH-BREAKING  MAKES   INFIDELS. 

This  nation  is  rapidly  becoming  infidel,  and  why  ?  Not  be- 
cause infidelity  makes  Sabbath-breakers ;  for  men  must  first  cast 
away  all  reverence  for  that  day,  before  they  can  disbelieve  the 
Bible,  ridicule  its  truths,  and  contemn  its  Author.  All  those  who 
habitually  trample  on  this  institution  must,  from  self-respect,  or 


ADDRESS    TO   ITS   FRIENDS.  381 

love  of  consistency,  profess  to  disbelieve  the  claims  of  those  pre- 
cepts which  condemn  them.  Having  therefore  learned,  by 
national  sanction,  and  individual  and  State  examples,  to  dese- 
crate God's  holy  day,  they  fly  to  infidelity,  in  self-justification, 
waxing  worse  and  worse,  and  contaminating  every  thing  that 
comes  within  their  reach. 

Should  it  be  asked,  who  are  becoming  infidels  ?  The  answer 
is  ready — stagemen,  boatmen,  carmen,  postmasters,  and  their 
clerks,  custom-house  officers,  toll-gatherers,  forwarding  mer- 
chants, innkeepers,  their  families  and  domestics,  porters,  barbers, 
milkmen,  and  others,  who  by  any  means,  or  in  any  way,  ha- 
bitually violate  this  day.  They,  to  appear  consistent,  must  say 
there  is  no  law  by  which  they  are  required  to  suspend  their  labor 
one-seventh  part  of  the  time. 

We  know  a  person,  the  son  of  a  pious  man,  who  moved  from 
New  England,  some  twenty  years  ago,  into  the  valley  of  the 
Mississippi.  He  was  then  a  nominal  believer  in  the  Christian 
religion.  He  opened  a  public  house,  was  appointed  postmaster, 
and,  like  other  men  in  such  circumstances,  began  to  do  business 
on  Sunday.  The  result  has  been,  not  only  infidelity  in  the 
father,  but  in  six  or  eight  sons.  Not  long  since,  on  that  day,  we 
were  pained  to  see  that  all  of  them,  together  with  a  large  num- 
ber of  neighbors  and  stage-drivers,  could  laugh,  talk,  and  drink, 
■  on  the  day  of  rest,  sport  with  the  Christian  religion,  ridicule  the 
story  of  the  cross,  and  blaspheme  God,  regardless  of  their  own, 
and  the  future  well-being  of  others.  They  had,  as  the  most 
valued  part  of  their  library,  "  Paine's  Age  of  Reason ;"  and 
they  believed  every  word  its  author  had  written,  notwithstand- 
ing the  reasonings  and  statements  in  "  Watson's  Apology  for 
the  Bible,"  which  had  a  place  on  the  same  shelf 

Sabbath-breaking  has  made  every  one  of  these  men  open 
contemners  of  God's  law.  This  is  not  a  peculiar  case ;  many 
such  families,  and  whole  neighborhoods,  can  be  found  in  that 
great  valley ;  and  let  the  practice  continue  a  few  years,  at  most, 
and  in  every  neighborhood  may  be  found  such  men,  in  abun- 
dance. Oh,  how  this  system  multiplies  infidels.  It  does  it  by 
hundreds  and  thousands  every  year.  Infidels,  so  long  as  this 
practice  shall  continue,  need  do  nothing  more  than  keep  the 


382  THE    SABBATH. 

Christian  public  ignorant  of  what  is  doing,  thereby  to  destroy 
Christianity.  There  is  no  necessity  for  their  reprinting  infidel 
subtlety,  infidel  slang,  infidel  slander  and  blasphemy,  so  long  as 
labor  and  amusement  are  continued  on  Sunday ;  for  this  is  doing 
their  work  of  death  more  effectually  than  anything  else  could 
do  it.  Oh,  that  Christians  but  realized  this,  as  they  very  soon 
will,  though  it  may  be  too  late  to  remedy  the  evil. 

What,  let  us  ask,  must  be  the  influence  of  this  unholy  prac- 
tice, but  the  entire  destruction  of  our  privileges,  civil,  domestic, 
and  religious  ?  Wherever  the  Sabbath  is  profaned,  infidelity 
comes  in  like  a  flood ;  and  ignorance,  crime,  anarchy,  and  deso- 
lation follow  in  its  train,  as  natural  and  unavoidable  conse- 
quences. For  the  Sabbath  and  infidelity  cannot  long  exist  to- 
gether. Where  there  is  no  Sabbath,  there  can  be  no  sound 
morality — no  true  patriotism  and  philanthropy — but  little  hu- 
manity or  general  intelligence — little  national  prosperity,  and  no 
cheering  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality.  The  Sabbath  gone, 
and  all  that  is  valuable,  here  or  hereafter,  is  gone ;  for,  in  the 
present  economy,  God  cannot  convert  the  world  without  the 
influence  of  that  day. 

The  Sabbath  has  already  lost  much  of  its  hold  on  the  busi- 
ness men  of  this  nation.  The  public  conscience,  on  this  subject, 
is  fast  dying  away ;  and,  continuing  to  do  as  we  have  done,  its 
voice  will  soon  cease  to  be  heard.  The  din  of  worldly  business 
has  all  but  deafened  the  men  of  this  world,  and  the  love  of  gain 
filled  the  heart  of  the  church,  so  that  they  seem  to  think  of 
nothing  but  money,  self-aggrandizement,  and  self -applause.  It 
often  appears  absolutely  impossible  to  break  the  charm.  Judg- 
ments, often  repeated  and  most  severe,  may  do  it,  but  it  is  to  be 
feared  nothing  else  can ;  for  God  has  long  been  trying  mercies, 
and  we  have  waxed  worse  and  worse.  Must  it  be,  that  the 
moral  and  physical  benefits  of  this  blessed  season  are  soon  to  be 
lost  to  the  church,  and  to  a  guilty,  dying  world  ? 

This  seems,  on  looking  over  the  whole  field,  and  watching  the 
progress  which  this  evil  has  made,  during  the  last  eight  or  ten 
years,  almost  unavoidable.  To  human  appearance  it  is  quite 
so.  But  "  with  God  all  things,"  consistent  with  his  plan  of 
government  and  his  holiness,  "  are  possible." 


ADDRESS  TO  ITS  FRIENDS.  3S3 

Will  not  the  ministry  suffer  with  the  people  ?  Are  they  not, 
in  a  measure,  responsible  for  the  losses,  the  pains,  and  the 
miseries  which  are  felt,  in  consequence  of  this  national  breach 
of  the  divine  law  ?  Had  they  lifted  up  their  voices  against 
such  an  intrusion,  the  evil  might  have  been  stayed,  and  this 
nation  spared  many  a  pang ;  many  souls  might  have  been  saved 
from  perdition,  and  God's  name  and  authority  preserved  from 
dishonor. 

Private  Christians  have  neglected,  and  continue  to  neglect, 
their  duty,  notwithstanding  all  that  has  been  said  to  the  con- 
trary. They  act  as  though  they  believed  it  was  the  work  of 
ministers  only  to  reprove  this  sin,  and  that  they  have  nothing 
to  do  in  the  matter.  They  have  either  been  afraid  to  speak,  or 
too  worldly,  covetous,  selfish,  and  indifferent,  to  spend  a  thought 
for  this  object,  though  upon  its  success  depend  the  best  interests 
of  a  dying  world.  One  has  turned  to  his  farm,  and  another  to 
his  merchandise,  apparently  listless,  unaffected,  undisturbed. 

This  nation,  for  a  number  of  years,  has  been  rolling  m  wealth 
and  pleasure.  Prosperity  has  smiled  on  us,  and,  in  our  own 
estimation  at  least,  we  have  become  rich  and  important.  Many 
of  our  young  men  are  proud,  impious,  and  ready  to  say,  "  Who 
is  the  Lord,  that  we  should  serve  him  ?"  The  Sabbath  is  our 
own,  and  we  will  enjoy  it.  The  truth  of  God  exerts  no  influ- 
ence on  their  minds,  to  convince  them  that  they  are  sinners, 
poor,  ignorant,  dependent — hastening  to  the  judgment  of  the 
great  day.  They  laugh  and  scoff  at  serious  things,  and  even 
defy  the  Almighty.  Old  men  too  are  forgetting  the  good  in- 
structions of  their  fathers. 

The  efforts  of  some  professors  of  religion  to  divide  our  ranks, 
and  their  frequently  going  over  to  the  enemy,  are  very  discour- 
aging. When  one  stands  in  the  field,  at  his  post,  and  is  at- 
tacked by  the  enemy,  instead  of  coming  up  to  his  help  in  the 
mighty  struggle,  they  leave  him  to  conquer  alone,  if  he  can,  or 
they  even  join  with  the  enemy,  though,  it  is  admitted,  in  most 
cases  indirectly.  Thereby  they  procure,  if  not  his  immediate, 
his  ultimate  overthrow ;  when,  worn  out,  grieved,  and  discour- 
aged, he  dies  a  martyr  to  the  cause. 

This  is  cruel — traitorous ;  but  it  has  been  acted  over  and  over, 


384  THE  SABBATH. 

and  will  prove  a  curse  not  only  to  those  who  are  guilty  of  such 
conduct,  but  to  the  nation,  while  it  is  a  foul  blot  on  human 
nature.  Let  this  course  be  continued,  and  it  will  prove  the  de- 
struction of  bur  brightest  hopes,  here  and  hereafter.  Is  there 
here  no  good  reason  for  apprehending,  that  the  benefits  of  the 
Sabbath  will  soon  be  lost  to  this  nation  ?  Other  reasons,  nume- 
rous and  weighty,  might  be  given,  were  it  necessary. 

THE    ONLY    REMEDY. 

Every  ecclesiastical  body,  must  immediately  raise  its  voice, 
long  and  loud,  against  this  sin,  in  all  its  various  forms.  They 
must  particularize,  and  repeat  their  remonstrances,  as  often  as 
they  shall  meet,  giving  "  line  upon  line,  and  precept  upon  pre- 
cept," until  the  evil  shall  be  done  away.  They  must  watch  over 
and  call  to  account  all  their  delinquent  members. 

Churches  must  discipline  all  their  members,  who  are  or  shall 
be  guilty  of  this  sin,  and  not  suffer  an  individual  to  remain 
among  them  who  will  hold  stock  in  Sabbath-breaking  estab- 
lishments; run  boats,  stages,  rail-cars;  open  or  carry  the  mail, 
travel,  or  do  any  other  secular  work  on  the  day  of  rest.  Such 
men  prove  themselves  unworthy  of  a  place  in  the  church  ;  and 
while  there,  do  more  hurt  than  if  they  were  infidels  out  of  it. 
The  church  must,  forthwith,  wash  her  hands  of  this  sin,  or  no- 
thing effectual  can  be  done.  Why  should  she  keep  an  indi- 
vidual in  her  bosom  who  breaks  the  fourth,  any  more  than  she 
would  one  who  breaks  the  second,  sixth,  seventh,  or  eighth 
command  ?  Such  stumbling-blocks  must  be  put  away,  or  sin- 
ners will  continue  to  fall  over  them  into  perdition.  "Who,  if  not 
the  minister,  shall  do  this  ? 

Every  Minister,  as  he  values  the  approbation  of  his  final 
Judge,  would  have  skirts  free  from  the  blood  of  souls,  and  de- 
sires the  good  of  a  dying  world,  must^  yes,  must  awake  from  his 
criminal  stupor  on  this  subject.  He  must  awake  now — every 
one  of  each  and  every  Christian  denomination;  for  all  need  the 
day ;  and  in  this,  can  all  Christians  work  together.  Some  dif- 
ferences of  opinion,  with  regard  to  securing  its  better  observance 
may  exist ;  but  these  should  not  divide  the  ranks,  nor  alienate 
the  feelings.     It  is  a  work,  the  magnitude  of  which  calls  for  all 


ADDRESS   TO   ITS  FRIENDS.  385 

the  power  of  all  the  churches,  and  that  unitedly ;  and  this  we 
must  have,  and  we  must  have  it  soon,  or  Zion  will  weep  in  so- 
litude, that  her  beauty  and  glory  are  departed. 

This  work  must  be  done  to-day.  It  will  be  hazarding  too 
much,  to  defer  it  until  to-morrow.  Brethren,  will  you  do  it  ? 
Oh,  we  entreat  you,  as  if  for  the  last  time,  and  as  one  standing 
upon  the  grave — as  one  who  has  not  felt  and  done  half  as  much 
as  the  exigencies  of  the  case  demand,  and  who  now  feels  it,  and 
mourns  over  his  neglect  of  duty  in  this  thing ;  as  one  who  dreads 
to  think  of  the  future,  lest  it  should  be  found  that  we  have 
slumbered  on,  and  with  the  multitude,  sinned  against  God,  and 
lost  our  Sabbaths.  Again  we  entreat  you,  awake.  Destruc- 
tion is  near,  it  is  even  at  our  door.  No  longer  be  deceived,  and 
no  longer  deceive  others. 

Editors  of  religious  periodicals  must  do  their  duty.  Hitherto 
they  have  done  little  for  this  cause.  They  must  give  up  their 
jarrings  and  contentions  about  trifles,  and  with  pure  hands,  and 
warm  hearts,  take  hold  of  this  cause.  They  must  put  forth 
their  best,  their  mightiest  effort.  If  any  one  of  them  longer  ne- 
glects this  duty,  he  is  unfit  to  stand  in  so  responsible  a  place ; 
he  is  unworthy  the  confidence  of  the  community  as  a  spiritual 
guide,  and  can  do  more  hurt  than  a  silent,  slumbering  preacher 
of  the  gospel.  Each  of  them  should  have  a  Sabbath  depart- 
ment, in  which  something  should  be  said  in  fevor  of  this  institu- 
tion, and  against  its  violation,  as  often  as  he  sends  abroad  his 
paper. 

Before  this  work  can  be  accomplished,  so  much,  at  least,  it 
will  be  indispensable  to  do.  It  may  be  necessary,  before  all  this 
can  be  done,  to  establish,  for  the  purpose,  a  National  Paper,  at 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  or  elsewhere,  and  appoint  agents  to  go 
from  town  to  town,  and  from  city  to  city,  to  instruct,  arouse,  and 
alarm  the  public,  that  they  may  see  their  condition,  and  make 
their  escape  from  the  impending  storm  by  timely  repentance. 
But  if  every  minister  and  editor  would  now  come  forward,  and 
faithfully  do  his  duty  in  this  work,  such  a  paper  and  such  agents 
would  not  be  necessary.  Ministers  and  editors,  will  you  do  this 
work,  and  save  the  expense  and  trouble  of  these  extra  efforts  ? 
All  Christians,  Patriots,  and  Philanthropists  should  arise 
33 


386  THE   SABBATH. 

and  put  forth  their  best  efforts  to  stop  this  torrent  of  iniquity. 
If  they  will  not,  they  do  not  deserve  the  names  they  have  taken 
upon  them.  Let  them  neglect  to  do  this,  and  their  other  efforts 
of  benevolence  and  humanity  to  bless  the  world  may  prove  abor- 
tive. They  cannot  long  continue,  however  much  is  done  to 
sustain  them,  after  the  Sabbath  has  lost  its  hold  on  the  public 
conscience. 

Let  there  be  no  disunion.  Infidelity  and  all  the  powers  of 
darkness  are  arrayed,  somewhat  secretly,  against  this  institu- 
tion; for  they  well  know,  that  if  this  can  be  destroyed,  the  Chris- 
tian religion  is  powerless.  All  our  efforts,  then,  are  needed. 
The  truth  of  God,  poured  upon  the  conscience  of  the  offender, 
is  the  only  thing  that  can  make  any  good  and  lasting  impression 
upon  his  mind,  and  effect  the  needed  reformation.  It  cannot  be 
done  by  opposing  Sahhath-breaking  boats,  and  stages,  and  cars, 
by  Sahh?ith-keeping  boats,  and  stages,  and  cars ;  for  the  devil, 
having  already  the  field,  well  manned,  and  abundance  of  mate- 
rials for  manning  a  thousand  more,  cannot  be  defeated  in  this 
way.  Nothing  but  the  truth  of  Almighty  God,  accompanied  by 
the  fervent  prayers,  and  consistent  lives  of  Christians,  can  drive 
him  and  them  from  their  strong  holds,  which  they  have  occu- 
pied and  been  fortifying,  through  the  criminal  cowardice  and 
neglect  of  Christians,  these  many  years.  Hence  the  indispen- 
sable necessity  for  the  efforts  of  ministers ;  for  who  can  wield 
needful  truth  like  them?  Hence  also  the  necessity  for  the 
united,  immediate,  persevering,  and  undaunted  efforts  of  all 
Christians,  patriots,  and  philanthropists. 

Human  Laws  against  this  sin  are  important,  and  should  be 
made  and  executed.  But  of  what  avail  are  all  human  laws  on 
this  subject,  now  that  the  practice  has  continued  so  long  that 
the  divine  law  is  not  believed  to  be  binding  ?  Were  we  an  ig- 
norant people,  and  governed  by  a  despot,  human  laws  might 
avail.  But  no  intelligent  people  can  be  governed  by  physical 
force  alone.     Moral  as  well  as  physical  power  must  be  applied. 

After  all,  an  intelligent,  a  republican  people,  must  be  govern- 
ed, if  governed  at  all,  mainly  by  the  force  of  moral  truth — the 
laws  of  God — the  love  of  God,  or  the  fear  of  his  eternal  displea- 
sure.   If  the  Sabbath-breaker,  if  worldly,  covetous,  selfish  men, 


ADDRESS  TO  ITS  FRIENDS.  387 

SO  long  habituated  to  desecrate  God's  holy  day,  and  claim  it  as 
their  own,  are  ever  to  be  reformed,  they  must  be  made  to  feel 
and  believe  the  truth,  that  God  has  a  claim  upon  them,  that  the 
Sabbath  is  his  day ;  and  if  they  continue  to  do  their  own  plea- 
sure in  it,  he  will  curse  them  for  it  in  this  life,  it  may  be,  and 
certainly  in  that  which  is  to  come.  In  order  to  this,  we  must 
have  the  ministry — the  living  preacher ;  and  he  must  warn  the 
transgressor,  plainly,  affectionately,  constantly,  or  be  charged 
with  the  loss  of  his  soul. 

Every  man  should  read  how  Nehemiah  set  about  a  similar  re- 
formation, and  follow  his  example.  Nor  call  him  ultra ^  until 
he  exceeds  the  efforts  made  by  that  holy  and  patriotic  man. 
The  evil  is  immense.  The  half  of  it  has  not  yet  been  told.  It 
is  a  wonder  that  all  men  do  not,  with  loud  and  lasting  wail,  cry 
out  for  help  against  this  giant  foe.  Surely  help,  much  help,  is 
needed,  and  must  come  quickly,  or  it  may  come  too  late. 

Let  Christians  preach,  Avrite,  talk,  act,  and  do  their  duty  unit- 
edly and  without  delay,  and  all  will  be  well. 

Men  of  the  East,  awake  !  Awake  to  the  rescue  of  this  day. 
The  tide  of  Sabbath-breaking  is  rising  higher  and  higher  in  the 
far  West,  and  sweeping  away  every  vestige  of  the  Sabbath's  in- 
fluences. Already  it  has  broken  its  way,  in  narrow  channels, 
over  the  mighty  barrier  which  Nature  seemed  to  place  between 
these  two  worlds.  Like  so  many  arteries  in  the  human  system, 
it  is  conveying  its  corrupting  influence  to  the  seat  of  life ;  and, 
unless  we  soon  have  your  help,  it  will  rise  to  the  loftiest  summits 
of  intervening  mountains,  and  break  forth  upon  you  in  such  tor- 
rents that  nothing  can  resist  it,  and  you  and  yours  will  be  whelm- 
ed in  the  general  ruin.  Awake,  then — why  slumber  any  longer, 
as  it  were,  on  a  sleeping  volcano  ?  Is  there  nothing  at  stake  ? 
Nothing !  Every  thing  good  and  valuable  is  at  stake — why  then 
not  hear  the  warning  voice  ere  it  be  too  late  ?  Why  not  come 
and  help  redeem  the  Sabbath  ? 

The  religion  of  the  cross  demands  it, — the  continued  exist- 
ence of  Christianity  demands  it ;  humanity  demands  it.  How 
many  poor  laborers  are  now  suffering,  because  the  benefits  which 
this  institution  was  designed  to  give,  are  withheld  from  them  ? 
Do  they  not  need  our  sympathy  and  our  efforts  ?    Shall  that  re- 


388  THE   SABBATH. 

ligion  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light,  and  makes 
men  happy  here  and  hereafter,  exert  none  of  its  transforming 
and  sanctifying  power  upon  them,  because,  to  them  the  Sabbath 
is  converted  into  a  day  of  toil  ?  Shall  that  religion  be  annihi- 
lated, or  exchanged  for  the  religion  of  pagans,  because  Chris- 
tians will  not  stand  by  and  sustain  its  main  pillars,  now  ready  to 
fall ;  and  when  the  enemy  are  laboring  to  overthrow  it  ?  Grod 
forbid,  that  they  should  act  so  treacherously,  so  wickedly,  so 
sluggishly,  and  neglect  to  act  their  part. 

Do  not  be  afraid  to  come  forward.  God  will  aid  all  who  will 
do  their  duty  in  this  emergency.  He  never  honors,  or  crowns 
with  victory,  the  timid,  the  slothful,  or  the  unfaithful.  What 
though  the  enemy  attack  you  ?  Go  forward  in  the  armor  of 
righteousness  and  truth,  and  success  is  certain. 

This  work  must  not  be  put  off  upon  weak  hands,  nor  delayed. 
This  has  been  tried  too  long  already.  The  best  efforts  and  the 
earliest  time,  must  be  improved,  if  we  would  secure  the  object. 
No  man  can  delay,  or  be  indifferent,  and  remain  innocent.  Oh  I 
what  apathy !    When  will  this  sleep  of  death  be  broken  ? 

Awake,  then,  all  ye  that  love  God  or  your  fellow  men,  and 
preach,  and  talk,  and  pray  for  this  reform,  every  day  of  your 
lives.  Let  not  any  minister  neglect  distinctly  to  bring  this 
subject  before  the  mind  of  every  audience  he  may  be  allowed  to 
address. 

What !  Shall  ministers  of  the  Gospel  see  one  of  the  most 
important  commands  of  the  decalogue  so  alarmingly  and  con- 
stantly violated,  and  not  warn  their  hearers  against  committing 
so  heinous  a  sin ! — See  them  sporting  with  Omnipotence,  and 
not  warn  them  to  beware  !  Surely,  such  men,  are  not  worthy 
to  be  placed  as  watchmen  on  the  walls  of  Zion.  They  must  be 
hirelings  in  sheep's  clothing.  What  if  there  be  Sabbath-breakers 
in  their  church  and  congregation,  who  would  be  angry  if  their  min- 
ister should  do  his  duty,  and  tell  them  the  truth  ?  What  though 
such  men  are  rich  and  honorable,  and  great,  and  the  main  sup- 
porters of  the  minister  ?  So  much  the  more,  then,  be  faithful  to 
them  that  their  souls  perish  not,  and  that  their  influence  may  be 
brought  over  to  the  right  side.  But,  should  neither  of  these  ends 
be  obtained,  and  should  the  minister  m  consequence  of  his  faith- 


ADDRESS  TO  ITS  FRIENDS.  389 

fulness  be  deprived  of  his  living  ;  better,  far  better  will  it  be  to 
endure  all  this,  than  to  be  cheated  out  of  heaven,  and  thrust 
down  to  hell. 

May  G-od  in  mercy  forgive  the  man  who  has  been,  or  still  is, 
afraid  to  speak  against  this  sin;  and  fill  his  soul  with  the  moral 
courage  requisite  to  qualify  him  for  usefulness  at  the  present  day. 
Ministers  must  be  humble,  self-denying,  prayerful.  Then  shall 
they  have  strength  to  meet  and  conquer  the  enemy. 

Beware  of  the  man  who  opposes  this  reform ;  or  is  finding 
fault  with  measures  adopted, — or  complains  that  too  much  is  re- 
quired, or  that  its  friends  are  too  strict.  Though  their  preten- 
sions of  friendship  for  the  object  are  ever  so  strong,  beware  of 
them.  They  are  generally  delinquents  themselves,  and  the  ene- 
mies of  all  proper  effort.  It  has  been  said,  we  must  be  imited. 
So  we  should  be, — all  the  friends  of  the  institution  should  be; 
but  such  men  are  the  enemies  of  that  day.  If  they  will  not  go 
with  you,  go  without  them.  Go,  and  go  quickly.  "  Make  haste 
slowly,''''  has  been  the  motto,  and  when  rightly  understood,  it  is 
a  good  one.  But  when  it  is  made  to  mean,  go  no  faster  than  will 
please  all  men,  especially  all  professors,  it  is  the  motto  of  Satan, 
and  would  teach  men  to  do  nothing  in  this  cause.  There  are 
many  to  be  reproved  in  the  church  as  well  as  out  of  it,  and  you 
cannot  please  all  if  you  touch  the  subject. 

PUBLIC    CALAIiUTIES. 

Why  is  this  land  bleeding  and  agonizing  under  the  judgments 
of  heaven  ?  Why  was  the  cholera  sent  ?  Why  so  many  large 
fires  ? — So  many  losses  at  sea  ? — So  many  failures  among  our 
business  men?  Why  such  great  changes,  such  distrust,  and 
such  a  pressure  in  the  money  market,  as  though  the  whole  na- 
tion would  soon  be  bankrupt  ?  Why  are  our  cities  filled  with 
fear,  distress,  and  alarm ;  and  so  many  thrown  from  the  heights 
of  affluence  to  the  depths  of  poverty  ?  Why  those  great  chang- 
es in  our  civil  and  political  prospects,  approaching  almost  to  an- 
archy, and  universal  lawlessness?  Why  this  unconquerable 
aversion  to  good  order,  and  wholesome  restraint  ?  Why  this 
sudden  effervescence  in  society,  as  though  every  man  would 
soon  be  against  his  neighbor  ? 


390  THE   SABBATH. 

These  things  are  not  without  meaning.  God  has  said,  the 
curse  causeless  shall  not  come.  We,  as  a  nation,  have  sinned, 
and  it  seems  that  God  is  about  to  give  us  up  to  self-destruction. 
Here  is  the  secret.  This  nation  has  long  been  a  Sabbath-break- 
ing and  an  oppressing  nation.  These  are  national  sins ;  and 
since  they  have  not  been  repented  of,  they  must  be  followed 
by  national  judgments. 

Hitherto  we  have  called  ourselves  that  happy  people  whose 
God  is  the  Lord ;  but  now  God  is  "  cursing  us  with  a  curse." 
We  feel  the  present  pain,  and  dread  the  future.  Well  may  we, 
for  the  storm  has  but  just  begun  to  fall,  if  we  continue  to  dese- 
crate God's  holy  day.  It  has  long  been  gathering  blackness,  and 
wo  be  unto  us  if  we  continue  this  high-handed  wickedness. 
Timely  and  hearty  repentance  only  can  avert  the  doom. 

Simday  mails,  and  boats,  and  stages,  and  railcars,  must  all 
stop,  or  this  nation  will  be  dashed  in  pieces.  Who  by  his  si- 
lence would  have  all  the  miseries  which  are  coming  upon  us, 
charged  to  his  account  ? 

Oh,  that  the  hand  of  God  might  be  seen,  by  the  people,  in 
these  judgments — that  every  minister  might  proclaim  the  truth, 
that  God  has  a  controversy  with  this  nation,  in  consequence  of 
this  sin ;  and  that,  imless  they  soon  repent,  and  do  works  meet 
for  repentance,  he  will  chastise  until  we  acknowlege  his  right  to 
reign  over  us. 

We  charge,  then,  every  man  who  loves  the  Sabbath,  to  warn 
the  Sabbath-breaker  of  his  unparalleled  guilt,  and  the  awful 
doom  to  which  he  is  hastening.  Tell  him  also,  what  judgments 
he  is  bringing  upon  this  nation,  and  how  the  innocent  will  suffer 
with  the  guilty.  Tell  him  that  his  Sabbath-day  earnings  will 
prove  a  curse  to  him  instead  of  a  blessing ;  that  our  Sunday 
mails  will  lead  us  into  inextricable  difficulty,  and  be  worse  than 
none,  for  God  has  forbidden  them ;  and  without  his  blessing  on 
our  undertakings,  all  our  efforts  will  be  useless. 

Those  who  have  clamorously  demanded  Sunday  mails,  cannot 
be  said  to  be  any  the  better  for  them.  They  will  prove  a  source 
of  immense  injury  to  the  friends  of  the  system. 

But  it  may  be  said,  those  who  keep  the  Sabbath  as  well  as 
Sabbath-breakers,  have  gone  down  in  the  almost  universal 


ADDRESS   TO   ITS   FRIENDS.  391 

crash.  So  they  have ;  for  their  sin  in  this  thing  derives  its  ag- 
gravation, from  the  fact  that  they  have  not,  at  all  times  and  eve- 
rywhere, cried  aloud  and  spared  not.  For  this,  God  will  punish 
the  church  and  the  ministry,  with  the  contemner  of  his  law.  Oh ! 
what  will  be  the  terrors  of  that  day  !  Who  can  endure  them  ? 
And  who  will  then  stand  acquitted  at  the  bar  of  his  conscience — 
at  the  coming  judgment  ? 
Neio  York,  July,  1837. 


